Obituary of James Robert Claxton Sr.

<b>Obituary</b> James Robert Claxton, Sr., 85, husband of Mary Lee for 57 years, died peacefully on Tuesday, March 13, 2013 after a brief illness with his family by his side. He was born on July 12, 1927 in Crofton, Kentucky to Maggie and Andrew Claxton, who was a coal miner in western Kentucky. He was valedictorian of his graduating class at Dawson Springs High School and part of the 1948 basketball team that competed in the Kentucky High School State Championship. He attended and played basketball at Western Kentucky University. Early in his career, he was a manager of the Cadiz Ford car dealership, and he owned and operated a stock car racetrack and a Standard Oil service station, all in Cadiz. He moved to Frankfort in 1964 and worked for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet until he retired in 1988. He also served as President of Manning Equipment in Louisville for a brief stint. Mr. Claxton was an accomplished athlete, outdoorsman, and Boy Scout Den Leader in western Kentucky. As a youth baseball and basketball coach, he won numerous championships and touched the lives of many young people. In his later years, he enjoyed golfing with his friends. Mr. Claxton was also a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church, a member of the Frankfort Country Club, and served on the Frankfort Board of Parks and Recreation for many years. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughter, Cindy (Tom) Hatfield of Lexington; his son, James (Cheryl) Claxton Jr. of Union, KY; his grandchildren, Lindsey Lee Hatfield Bowman, Taylor Hatfield, Caleb Claxton, and Aubrey Claxton; and his great-grandchildren, Madison and Barrett Bowman. <b>Funeral Information</b> A Gathering of Family and Friends will be held 2:00-4:00 PM Saturday, March 16, 2013 at Clark Legacy Center, Versailles Road.