Full Honors for Paxton at Florida National Cemetery
The USMCCCA’s longest serving executive director was laid to rest with full military honors Monday May 14 at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell.
Capt. Jack T. Paxton, USMC (ret) was surrounded by wife Pat and, at times, his entire family during his hospitalization and hospice care in The Villages, Florida last month.
Each of his five children (Jeff, Jack Jr., Rick, Sharon and Tom), sister M.J. and many grandchildren, nieces and nephews, were gathered for Jack’s homegoing, which included a memorial service and a burial ceremony replete with bagpipes, rifle salute and taps.
The flag presentation to Pat was made on behalf of the Marine Corps 4500 Occupational Field by Maj. Jordan Cochran, the Director of Communication Strategy for the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit based at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
A luncheon buffet followed during which family, friends and CCs were encouraged to share reminisces of the Korea and Vietnam veteran.
Foundation President Manny Pacheco eulogized Jack during the service with a brief homily offered by former Florida State Marine Corps League Chaplain George Wanberg with CC Bob Jordan giving the benediction.
Among those in attendance were current and former national presidents Tom Kerr, Red Carpenter, Manny Pacheco and Keith Oliver and current or former national officers and board members Cal Openshaw, Bob Mergle, Kate Stark, Bob Jordan and Shawn Rhodes.
Former Leatherneck editor Walt Ford also participated, along with Gene Smith, a major influence in Jack’s home chapter and chairman of the Annual Red Carpenter USMCCCA Golf Tournament which was played on April 27 and dedicated to Jack’s memory.
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