Ross Elwin Paxton

Ross Elwin Paxton, age 72, of Edgewater, New Jersey and formerly of Union, died June 14, 2003. At his request there will be no public service. A family interment will be held at the Elgin Cemetery.

Mr. Paxton was born on February 3, 1931, the son of Charles Alford and Belle (Tracy) Paxton in La Grande, Oregon. He attended grade school in Elgin and the family later moved to Union. During high school he was co-editor of the Bobcat Yearbook and illustrated the cover which was used for many years. After graduating from Union High School he attended college in Seattle from 1949 until 1951. From 1951 until 1953 he served with the United States Army in the Korean Conflict. After his honorable discharge he attended college in Albuquerque, New Mexico and finished his education in New York City.

Mr. Paxton was a natural born artist and musician. His art was his life and he worked as an illustrator for the YCNR Art Agency in New York until his retirement. Some of his accounts included the cotton campaign, Vogue patterns and Estee Lauder. He enjoyed traveling all over the world. He enjoyed writing and recently wrote several articles for the Valley News in Elgin. He also enjoyed researching the genealogy of both sides of his family.

Survivors include his brother and sister-in-law, William and Betsy Paxton of Union; nephew and his wife, Wayne and Julie Paxton of Baker City; step-niece and her husband, Bonnie and Gary Baxter of Baker City; step-nephew and his wife, Forest and Donna Moss of La Grande; great niece and nephew, Chelsea and Heath Paxton of Baker City; and other relatives and friends. A sister-in-law, Anne Paxton preceded him in death.

Those who wish may make contributions in memory of Mr. Paxton to the Union Bobcat Foundation in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 7th Street, La Grande, Oregon 97850.