Paul C. Paxton

Paul Charles Paxton, 81, of Fargo, ND, died Monday, September 29, 2008, at MeritCare Palliative Care, Fargo. Paul was born March 28, 1927, to Laban and Anna (Hansen) Paxton in Faribault, Minnesota. He lived in Minneota, Minnesota, attending school in Marshall, Minnesota. Paul was baptized July 11, 1927, at Ruskin, Minnesota. He was confirmed in the faith on June 15, 1941, at Hope Lutheran Church, Minneota, MN. Paul joined the Navy in 1944, and served as a hospital corpsman, being honorably discharged in 1946. He married Patricia Anne Moore on July 30, 1950. Paul and Pat lived in Marshall, Minnesota, for a short time and then moved to Fargo, North Dakota, in 1951. Paul was a neon glassblower, creating many icons in Fargo/Moorhead, including the signs for the “Pink Pussycat”, the “Roundup” and many others too numerous to mention. He also was a salesman for Cook Sign Company, Reinhard Brothers, O’Day Distributing, Home of Economy, Nodak, and “Dirty Bird.” He continued to bend neon throughout his retirement years. Paul was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia, in 1999. He is survived by his two sons, Paul B. (Alexis) Paxton, Fargo, ND; Daniel (Diane) Paxton, Phoenix, AZ; one daughter, Ruth Ann (Jeff) Johnson, Grand Forks, ND; his grandchildren, Chuck Paxton; Susan and Joe Paxton; Erin (Dusty) Jostad; Adam and Bret Johnson; one sister, Sharon Martinson, Marshall, Minnesota; and many wonderful nieces and nephews, who were very special to Paul. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Milford “Milky” Paxton; Clarence “Bunny” Paxton; sisters, Anna Lopez and Helen Janssen. Funeral Service: Saturday, October 4, 2008, at 1:00 PM, at Grace Lutheran Church, Fargo, ND. Visitation: One hour prior to the service at the church. Burial: Sunset Memorial Gardens, Fargo, ND. Memorials are preferred to the YMCA, Grace Lutheran church or donor’s choice.