James Claxton

James W. Claxton, age 76, of Odessa, TX,

passed away on October 28, 2019 in his home.

Visitation will be Thursday October 31, 2019 from 6:00pm – 8:00pm

at Sunset Memorial, 6801 E. Business 20, Odessa, TX 79762.

Funeral service will be held on Friday November 1, 2019 at 1:00pm at Sunset Memorial, 6801 E. Business 20, Odessa, TX 79762 with Chad Bullard of Venture Church, Keller, TX of and Aubrey Jones of Chapel Hill Baptist Church of Odessa, TX officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial, 6801 E. Business 20, Odessa, TX 79762.

James was born in Ovalo, TX to William Jenkins known as Bill and Reba Annabel Claxton on September 5, 1943. In 1954 James gave his life over to Christ. Before graduating in 1962 from Kress High School he worked on a cotton farm and loved playing football and running track. As soon as he graduated, he joined the Untied States Marine Corp. He was honorable discharged from the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines, 2nd Marine Division in 1966 where he was Cryptographic Equipment Technician and a Telegraphic Typewriter Repairman. James earned a Good Conduct Medal, a National Defense Service Medal and a Rifle Marksmanship Badge. A few years after joining the Corp., in 1964 he married the girl next door. They would have celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary this coming December. After the Marines he began his career as an electronic technician. James became a father in 1969 to a beautiful daughter and in 1973 to a full of energy boy. He would work all day and then go straight to night school where he earned his ASS Degree in 1976 from Odessa College. He worked for Texaco until he thought he was ready to retire in 1994. However, you can’t keep a man like James down for very long. He began working for Lynx Operating Company were he officially retired in 2016. One of James’ favorite years was in 1988 which was the year he became a granddad and soon after that the tradition of “Midnight snacks” (which was really around 8:00pm…shhhh!) became one of his most enjoyable times with his four grandchildren. It wasn’t until 2018 were he added the title of great granddad and his heart lit up for the little guy who is also named after him. In his retirement years he loved to go to the gun range, load his own ammo, and spend time with his beautiful bride. In fact, one of his favorite scriptures was Ecclesiastes 9:9 “Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, all the days….”.

One day James was asked “What advice would you give young people to help them prepare for growing old? Regret! It is not what you DO that you regret; it is the things that you DON” T do that you will regret.

James is preceded in death by father – William Jenkins, mother – Reba Annabel, and sister – Barbara Ann Claxton Hasty.

James is survived by wife, Zetta Claxton; daughter, Jetahn Lichenstein and husband Sam Lichenstein of Horseshoe Bay, TX; son, Chad Claxton and wife April Claxton of Odessa, TX; granddaughter, Courtnie Vinson and husband Wesley Vinson of Austin, TX; granddaughter, Cheyenne Lichenstein of Austin, TX; grandson, Langxton Claxton of Odessa, TX; granddaughter, Lexy Claxton of Odessa, TX; and great grandson, J.W. Vinson (namesake of James) of Austin, TX., brother, Arthur Claxton and wife Ginny Claxton of San Angelo, TX; and brother Roger Claxton and wife Joann Claxton of Denton, TX., and many nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Chad Claxton, Sam Lichenstein, Wesley Vinson, Terry Shipley, Justin Shipley, Tommy Pettitt, Rodney Black, and Steve Fowler

Memorials may be given to Home Hospice of Odessa, TX. The family of James W. Claxton wishes to extend sincere thanks to Michelle Hudson, Nicole and everyone of Home Hospice of Odessa and caregiver Aleida Suchil and Irene of Pleasant Living Caregiving of Odessa, TX., Chapel Hill Baptist Church of Odessa, TX and Stonegate Fellowship of Odessa, TX.