Richard Lee Paxton was born on October 9, 1930 in Mammoth Springs, Arkansas and departed this life on December 26, 2022 at the age of 92 at his home in Olive Branch, Mississippi.

After graduating from Mammoth Springs High School in 1949, Richard joined the U.S. Army and served our country in the Korean War from 1952-1954. Upon his honorable discharge, he owned and operated a barber shop in the Oakhaven neighborhood of Memphis, Tennessee. Later, he became a locomotive engineer for the Frisco (Burlington Northern) railway until his retirement in 1993. While he enjoyed using his many talents, like tinkering with old cars, bringing broken down lawnmowers and small electronics back to life, playing his guitar and encouraging his children to sing with him, Richard's passion was his family. He spent most of his days engaging in his children and grandchildren's activities, especially sporting events. From teacher to coach to spectator to cheerleader, he impacted many lives with his enthusiasm and love of sports. A faithful, longtime member of Kensington Baptist Church in Memphis, Tennessee, which later merged with Gracewood Baptist Church in Southaven, Mississippi, Richard developed many lasting friendships through the years.  His humor, quick wit, banter and insightful life-lessons will long be remembered by family and friends. He will be deeply missed. Richard was also preceded in death by his parents, Lonnie and Anna Mae Paxton, and his sister and brother-in-law, Reba and Travis Callahan.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 70 years, Hazel Sides Paxton; his four children, Mike Paxton (Julia) of Germantown, Tennessee, Denise Paxton Frazier (Kevin) of Springdale, Arkansas, Jeff Paxton (Marci) of Russellville, Arkansas, and Tim Paxton (Lisa) of Nesbit, Mississippi; his ten beloved grandchildren, Josh Paxton (Colby), Courtney Paxton Allen (Kyle), Colby Paxton (Katherine), Zach Paxton (Lauren), Laura Frazier Shansky (Matt), Amanda Frazier Song (Roger), Austin Paxton (Mindy), Ashley Paxton Nordman (Jeremy), Cayleb Paxton, Avery Paxton (Danielle); his sixteen precious great- grandchildren, Eli Paxton, Tatum Paxton, Lainey Paxton, Paxton Allen, Caitlin Allen, Blake Allen, Hutch Paxton, Tucker Paxton, Molly Paxton, Payton Song, Palmer Song, Micah Shansky, Mazie Grace Shansky, Ezra Paxton, Maverick Paxton, and Camden Paxton. He joins his seventeenth great-grand baby, Kaia Nordman in heaven; and is also survived by many loving friends.