Odis Archie Claxton

Odis A. Claxton, Jr., age 83, departed this life Friday, May 16, 2014. He was born January 30, 1931 in Abilene, Texas, the only son of Odis Sr. and Nola Bradford Claxton. He attended Abilene public schools and was a member of the band programs, performing as a drum major from junior high through college at McMurry College. He served in the National Guard during the Korean Conflict and attended Artillery School in Ft. Sill, Oklahoma, with a last assignment as battery commander of a howitzer rocket battery. He had held a private pilot license since 1958. His early work began at Caldwell Music Co. on Grape Street. He then moved to Lubbock, later to Pharr/McAllen, and ultimately to Brownsville in the music store business. Later earning professional credentials as a real estate broker, he spent several years in the residential, commercial, development, and resort business in South Texas and New Mexico. Later moving to Houston, he was associated with two real estate firms, retiring in 2002. Music and photography claimed much of his interests. He was well-known among dance bands and orchestras in the Abilene area in his earlier years, having operated the Odis Claxton Orchestra for a number of years. After discontinuing his band bookings, he continued to teach drums for music students and play drums with other groups in Abilene. With his hobby of photography, he earned honors with some of his prints and had produced TV shows and business video promotion tapes. He attended the Church of the Heavenly Rest, Episcopal in Abilene. He was preceded in death by his wife of 43 years, Margaret Horger Claxton, and a daughter, Stephanie Horger Manning of Houston, TX. Odis is survived by three daughters, Cynthia Claxton Shepherd of Tallahassee, FL, Cylvia Claxton of Estes Park, CO, and Suzette Horger Wilhite of Round Rock, TX. He had 8 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; an aunt, Evelyn Balis of Knox City, TX; and several cousins, including Jerry Claxton, William Vernon Claxton, James Welch and Billy Charles Cole of Abilene, as well as longtime friends, Dave Horger of Arlington, TX and Annette Borders of Clyde, TX. The family will receive friends at a visitation from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 23, at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene. A graveside service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, May 24, in Elliott-Hamil Garden of Memories Cemetery. A celebration of his life will follow at 11:00 a.m. Saturday at the Church of the Heavenly Rest, Episcopal, 602 Meander, with Rev. N. Luke Back officiating. The family wishes to thank the staff members of Royal Estates, Coronado Nursing Center, Northern Oaks Living & Rehab Center, Home Instead, and Hendrick Hospice Care for their loving care and compassion throughout his senior living and later illness. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to McMurry University Band, McMurry Station, P.O. Box 938, Abilene, TX 79697, or Hendrick Hospice Care, 1682 Hickory Street, Abilene, TX 79601.