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PAXTON, DAVID OLAF David Olaf Paxton passed into eternal rest on Sunday, January 4, 2015 after a brief illness. He was born November 2, 1927 in Philadelphia, PA. Dave grew up in Socorro, NM. Dave graduated from the New Mexico Military Institute in 1945 and briefly attended UNM & New Mexico Tech. During his distinguished military career of twenty four years, which included a three year stint in the Navy aboard the USS Hancock aircraft carrier, Dave saw combat in three wars: World War II, Korea & Vietnam. Serving briefly as a lieutenant with the Socorro Artillery Battery of the NM National Guard, Command Sergeant Major Paxton was ordered into active federal service in 1951 and later was assigned to various AAA (Anti Aircraft Artillery) organizations on Okinawa, Korea & Japan with the defense units for Hanford Atomic Works in Washington State. He was highly decorated during his years of service and awarded the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, Air Medal, Meritorious Service to name a few. After retiring from the military, Dave worked for the Sheriff's Department in Albuquerque and later for the Social Security Administration in Santa Fe, Hobbs & Albuquerque. Among Dave's great passions he enjoyed breeding and raising champion show Dalmatians. He was an avid photographer for many years, skilled in developing his own film. Dave enjoyed playing Duplicate Bridge at the Duke City Bridge Center & Sandia West and was an ardent reader. He also enjoyed cribbage games with his retired military buddies and was a member of the ROMEO'S (Retired Old Men Eating Out). Dave was preceded in death by first wife Nancy Lee (Shulthiess) Paxton, his father Emery Foster Paxton, his mother, Ruth Bursum (Paxton) Harban, his stepfather, Robert C. Harban, and his grandfather, Senator Holm O. Bursum, Sr. He was loved and will be greatly missed by his family. He is survived by his wife of thirty eight years, Nancy Minces Paxton; children Mark E. Paxton, Matthew R. Paxton, and Deborah C. (Paxton) Antonucci (husband Tom); his grandchildren: Melanie R. (Antonucci) Hesketh (husband Daniel R.), Jeffrey P. Antonucci, John D. Paxton, Nikki R. Paxton and great-grandson Owen D. Hesketh. He is also survived by stepchildren Kenneth A. Ankeny (wife Maria), Lorri Skidmore and Sherryl Quint (husband Tim); step-grandchildren Chris Skidmore, Brian Skidmore (wife Aimee), Dustin Skidmore, Aaron Ankeny, Brandon Ankeny, Megan Ankeny, Nicholas Quint, Hannah Quint and step great grandson Colin Skidmore. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, January 14, 2015 at 10:00AM at Daniels Family Funeral Home, 7601 Wyoming, NE with burial to follow at the Santa Fe National Cemetery at 12:45 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to United Way of Central NM, 2340 Alamo Ave., SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106 or a charity of your choice. To share memories with the family please visit David's memorial webpage at www.danielsfuneral.com Daniels Family Funeral Services 7601 Wyoming Blvd NE Albuquerque, NM 87109 505-821-0010
        Published on: Sun January 11, 2015