Murray Kenneth Paxton

Murray “Ken” Kenneth Paxton, 90, passed away peacefully on January 24, 2026.

 Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at First Baptist Church of Lexington. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. A Committal Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at Fort Jackson National Cemetery. 

Ken was born on January 12, 1936, in Granite Falls, North Carolina, to Edwin Yates Paxton and Mabel Joy Paxton. He was a graduate of High Point University, where he played tennis. Ken proudly served his country in the United States Air Force. Following his military service, he enjoyed a long and successful career in the trucking industry. Through dedication and hard work, he rose to the position of Director of Revenue and Accounting and retired from Southeastern Freight Lines. During his career, he also worked with Johnson Motor Lines and Carolina Freight. 

Faith was central to Ken’s life. He was actively involved in every church he attended, faithfully serving as a deacon, assisting with church finances, and teaching Sunday School. He was also a devoted member of The Gideons International and served as State President for both North Carolina and South Carolina, a role he considered one of his greatest honors. Ken enjoyed collecting die-cast trucks, playing golf, and going to Walmart. He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, and grandfather who was thorough, punctual, and detail-oriented, always making sure his family was cared for. 

In addition to his parents, Ken was preceded in death by his brothers, Edwin “Eddie” Yates Paxton, Jr., and Donald “Don” B. Paxton. Those left to cherish his memory include his beloved wife, Verlene Ballard Paxton; his three sons, Greg Paxton (Lynn), Kevin Paxton, and Tim Paxton; three granddaughters, Faith Ann Paxton, Amelia Grace Paxton,Sophia Marie Paxton; and his two granddogs, Grizzly and Ace.