Frank R. Paxton, 88, of Paducah died Monday, November 30, 2015, at the Ray and Kay Eckstein Hospice Care Center.
Frank was born in Paducah, Kentucky, on December 31, 1926, to the late Edwin J. Paxton Sr. and Florence Brown Paxton. He was a 1944 graduate of St. Theresa High School in Coral Gables, Florida, and 1948 cum laude graduate of Notre Dame University with a bachelor of science degree in commerce. After graduation, he joined the family newspaper, The Paducah Sun-Democrat, where he became publisher and served many years on the board of directors of the family’s newspaper group. It is now known as Paxton Media Group LLC, which includes The Paducah Sun and television station WPSD.
On September 18, 1961, Frank, along with six other Kentucky newspaper executives, was invited by telegram to attend a luncheon meeting at The White House with President John F. Kennedy. The picture that was taken that day hung proudly in his office.
From July 1972 until June 1984 he was President of The Paducah Bank and was enormously proud to appoint the first woman to the bank’s board of directors and oversee the move of the bank from its Broadway location to the modern facility on Jefferson Street.
He served many years on the board of Lourdes Hospital. Frank was past president of Paducah Rotary Club, Paducah-McCracken County Community Chest, Paducah Chamber of Commerce, Greater Paducah Industrial Development Association, and Riverside Hospital Board. He was a Kentucky Colonel and Duke of Paducah.
In 1974, Frank was appointed by Gov. Wendell Ford to serve on the Board of Regents at Murray State University. Gov. John Y. Brown named him in 1984 to serve on the Commonwealth of Kentucky Judicial Nominating Committee.
He attended the inauguration of President Lyndon B. Johnson, having served as state campaign chairman for Johnson’s election, and was once again invited to The White House to a luncheon with Rosalynn Carter. He frequently visited Frankfort and Washington, D.C., to obtain assistance for local projects and industry in Paducah.
In 1985, Frank was presented with an Exceptional Community Service Award from the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce for his many years of dedication and commitment to improving the quality of life in Paducah and McCracken County.
His interest in golf resulted in many good friends both in Paducah and Venice, Florida, where he and his wife, Joyce, enjoyed winters for many years. Frank served as president of Paxton Park Golf Commission and on its board for many years; the public golf course that was named for his father, Edwin J. Paxton Sr., and where his father taught him to play their beloved sport. In addition to golf, he was an avid reader all his life and was a passionate fan of University of Kentucky, Notre Dame, and Chicago Cubs.
Surviving are his wife of 37 years, Joyce Welch Paxton; children, Diana “Dia” L. Paxton of Ashland, Oregon, Douglas E. Paxton (Joseph) of San Francisco, California, Andrew F. Paxton of San Francisco, California, and Cynthia “Cindy” R. James (Steve) of Paducah; granddaughter, Lauren A. Ballard (Joshua) of Paducah; great-grandchildren, Kayleigh Brooke Ballard and Karson James Ballard; and sister, Patricia Paxton Brockenborough; and sister-in-law, Peggy Sable Paxton. He leaves behind and remembers his seven nieces and nephews; their spouses and extended families. The family gratefully thanks Frank’s loving caregiver, Sharon Luchesi, who came day or night to assist him and even faithfully watched all the Chicago Cubs games with him.
Preceding him in death were his sister, Louise Paxton Gallagher; brothers Edwin J. Paxton Jr. and James Fredrick “Fred” Paxton; and his parents, Edwin J. Paxton Sr. and Florence Brown Paxton.
A funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, December 5, 2015, at St. Thomas More Catholic Church with Father Brad Whistle officiating. Burial will follow at Mount Carmel Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Friday evening, December 4, 2015, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Paducah.
Memorial donations may be made to Paxton Park Golf Course, P.O. Box 7624, Paducah, KY 42002; St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 5645 Blandville Road, Paducah, KY 42001; St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, 116 South 6th Street, Paducah, KY 42001; or Lourdes Foundation, 1530 Lone Oak Road, Paducah, KY 42003-9976.
You may leave a message, light a candle, or share a song tribute at www.milnerandorr.com.