Donald H. Paxton

Feb. 23, 1926 - July 26 2014

[caption id="attachment_8834" align="alignright" width="197"] Donald H. Paxton[/caption]

Donald Hague Paxton, 88, of Cowley, died on July 26, 2014 at North Big Horn Hospital. He was a recent resident of New Horizons Care Center.

Donald was born Feb. 23, 1926, in Buffalo, the son of Hague and Kate Paxton. In 1944, at the age of 17, Donald left high school and joined the United States Navy. While serving in the Navy he acquired his skills as an electrician. In 1946, Donald left the military and returned to Sheridan, where he returned to Sheridan High School, graduating in 1947. Following graduation, Donald began working as an electrician in Sheridan.

Donald married Mary Kraft in Sheridan and the couple had three children, Freta, John and Cindy. With his family, Donald moved to Byron, where he opened D&M Electric. Donald operated his business for more than 30 years. Donald and Mary later divorced.

Donald married Bertha Harvey on Jan. 26, 1972, in Lovell. Donald later sold D&M Electric and retired. Donald and Bertha spent many summers working for Joe and Iris Bassett on their guest ranch. Don did handiwork and Bertha cooked. Donald loved being on the ranch.

Donald enjoyed working and being outside. He loved fishing and hunting, especially bow hunting. Donald loved dogs and always had a sidekick by his recliner. He also adopted two wild mustangs, which he broke and trained.

Donald and Bertha lived in Byron until 2002, when they moved to Cowley. During his later life in Cowley, Donald enjoyed gardening. He raised vegetables, strawberries and raspberries.

Donald is survived by his wife Bertha, of Cowley; son John (Diane) Paxton, of Lovell; daughters Freta (Alex) Watko, of Walla Walla, Wash., and Cindy Merkling of Fairbanks, Alaska; sister Maxine Shoston of Sheridan; stepdaughter Yvonne (Robert) Hing of Laramie and stepson Jack Harvey of Cowley; 17 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Mel Francis and Charlotte Paxton and stepsons James Harvey and Glen Harvey.

Funeral services will be Thursday, July 31, at 2 p.m. at the Byron LDS Church. Visitation will be at 1 p.m at the church. Burial will be in the Byron Cemetery.