John Christopher “Chris” Paxton
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John Christopher “Chris” Paxton, 62, of Eudora, KS passed away peacefully Friday, January 26, 2024, at his home with his family by his side after a short battle with cancer.
He was born June 22, 1961, in Junction City, KS. He was the son of Richard J. and Mary Kay (Hinitt) Paxton. Chris grew up in Junction City, KS and attended Junction City Schools, graduating in the class of 1979. Chris worked construction in and around the Junction City area.
He married Katie McGuire in 1983, they had a son Michael, they later divorced. Not long after that Chris met Laura Oliver who would turn out to be his life saver, best friend, and wife. Chris and Laura moved to Lawrence, KS and later moved to Eudora, KS. Chris attended KCK Tech-College where he received a degree in Auto Collision Repair.
He went to work for Hite Collision in Lawrence, and was there for over 15 years, while there he decided to try his hand in the auction business and attended the Missouri Auction School and graduated June of 1999. He continued working in the collision repair business and started Paxton Auction Service. Chris conducted hundreds of auctions, and many were charity fundraisers that he donated his services to and raised well more than a million dollars for charities over the years.
Chris also had a great passion for Hot Rods and Harleys, he loved working on old Harley Davidson Motorcycles, old trucks and go carts for his grandkids.
Chris was approached by Eudora High and was asked if he had an interest in being an instructor in the Auto Collision Repair Shop, he accepted. This venture turned out to be his greatest passion of all. Teaching Auto Collision repair and welding to students was such a joy to him. Chris was an instructor at Eudora High for 11 years and was still trying to make it to school following his doctor’s visits and cancer treatments began. Chris said many times, “It’s all about the kids, I have to be there.”
During his time at Eudora High, he touched thousands of lives, including staff, students, and parents. His goal was to push his students to be the best they could be and that nothing was impossible. He also preached to his students the importance of staying in school and respecting others. Students that were not in his classes would often come to him for advice.
Chris was instrumental in starting a trap shooting team, the “Cardinal Clays” and in a short time kids were qualifying for State and National Competitions. Another event he started was a car show and fundraiser for the school. It started small and has grown to include the Culinary Arts Department which prepares food to sell and other shop departments that build items that Chris would auction off. Within his first year of teaching Chris received the teacher of the month award and in 2022 he was awarded Teacher of the Year.
Another interest and passion of his was arm wrestling, he was approached by a friend about fabricating some equipment for training and Chris stepped up to the plate, and Psycho Arm Sports was born. Chris was initially just fabricating the equipment, but this soon took a turn. He quickly became interested in competing and like everything else he was all in, he began training hard and traveled the circuit to over a dozen states with his Psycho Arm Sport brothers and winning tournaments along the way.
Chris left us way to soon but there is a spot in the hearts of thousands of us that will never forget the amazing man he was. Thank you, Chris Paxton, we will always love you.
Survivors include his wife Laura of Eudora, KS; son, Michael (Amanda) Paxton and their children Conrad, William and Lainey of Troy, MO; mother, Mary Kay Paxton, brother, Craig Paxton, sister, Pam Paxton all of Junction City, KS; brother, Doug (Kacie) Paxton and their children, Josh, Karyssa and Annie all of Ketchikan, AK; stepson, John Paxton and children, Katelyn, JT and Samantha, all of Topeka KS; God Son, Eli Noa of Denver, CO; and an extended family of nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father, Richard “Dick” J. Paxton; grandparents, Glenn and Katherine Paxton and Conrad and Madeline Hinitt.
Cremation has taken place. Chris’s wish was not to have a funeral, but a Celebration of Life which will take place early this Spring. A private family graveside service will take place at a later date in Junction City, KS. Warren-McElwain Mortuary, Eudora, KS is assisting the family.
Gloria and I were very sorry to hear about Chris. He was very helpful to us; first when our son Jeff owned Bulldog Tow and Chris auctioned off cars for him; then when Jeff passed in 2017 Chris helped auction off the rest of his personal property! Chris was a great guy and will be missed!
We are friends of Craig and Pam. Our sincerest sympathy goes to you and your family with many prayers for peace and comfort.
You were one of my best customers for many years! Sure a great guy and Chris will be missed. RIP Chris
Got to meet Chris when.I came to Eudora a few times and Really enjoyed our conversations being the same age we had a lot to talk about that was in Common.. Very Sad to hear of Chris’s passing. Rest in peace my Friend you will be missed I know!
Laura, John, and Michael,
I just found out today that Chris had passed away. My aunt teresa told me. In so sorry for you loss. I have a lot of memories with you guys in it. Your on my prayers!
I was a highscool student at Eudora highscool. I was a troubled teenager and was always messing around in class. Mr. Paxton was one teacher that i could count on & that believed in my mechanical skills, he valued me & invested his time in me while everyone else saw me as an inattentive student. I also started arm wrestling with him in my free time. Today i am a union plumber and i will always be grateful that he saw something in me & always pushed me to be better. Rip to a great man❤️
Chris held an auction for me and assisted with other auctioneers. HE always made a point to seek me out at auctions to say Hello! I have lots of stuff Chris and we will see each other again. I’ll make certain to bring the stuff with me ’cause I am sure there will be a large crowd to bid on my stuff and you as the auctioneer. You will get the job done.! To the family, he will be missed by many people in all walks of life. And that is a great tribute.
To the Paxton Family,
We are so sorry for the loss of Chris. He was a great friend. He meant so much to the school and the students. We have been blessed by his many gifts.
Sending heartfelt condolences to Chris’ family. Pax was one of the kindest people I knew. He could put a smile on anyone’s face, just by being around him. He will be dearly missed and remembered by so many.
Paxton was one of a kind. It’s because of him my boys have decided to go into welding after school. They loved Pax and his class. Every day was a new story of how Pax made them laugh, or helped with something new. They knew in that classroom they were safe and cared about.
My condolences go to his family. I hope you find peace in knowing he’s never forgotten and touched so many lives.
We’ll always have your back, Pax!
Dear Paxton Family,
I am very sorry for your loss. I enjoyed the friendship of Chris .He had a great way with people. He will be greatly missed, we had great times together
Sending healing prayers and comforting hugs. We are so sorry for your loss.
Dear Kay, I am so sorry for your loss! Miss seeing you. He was sure a nice person! I think about you guys a lot and hope you are well!
I am so sorry to hear that Chris left us way too soon. I met him while being the auctioneer for our auctions at St. Xavier in Junction City. What a great guy. He was so much fun to be around and you could tell he was so sincere when you talked with him. Chris, you touched so many lives in a very positive way. You were awesome. Paxton family, you already knew this but he was one of the good guys.
I have known chris most of my life. When i was 19 i worked with chris at lawrence truck salavge. He and laura lived in the house next to the business they were both great ppl. Chris helped guide me to a better path then what i was headed and for that i will always hold a place in my heart for them. Many yrs working together i was alwaus jealous of his ponytail he had it was awesome same as he was. Ride on my friend til the roads and dreams pass again
I love you Pam and my heart will be with you and your family today. I know how much your brother and family mean to you and they are blessed to have you in their life.
🙏❤️🙏
Our Deepest Condolences to the Paxton Family. we met Chris through a family friend as we were looking into having our dads estate sale in 2009 , Chris was a genuine kind Man, he even took the time to give our son a couple lessons in the art of Auctioneering.
My heart is with you.
Our thoughts are with Laura, Michael & Family as they heal from this devastating loss. Chris was my Dads (John Bremer) best friend. Chris is definitely one of a kind. He always had a way of making people laugh and his one liners were always the best! He had a comfortability about him, he was always authentically himself, which made anytime around him memorable. We love you & miss you!
What a light and leader we’ve all lost. Our deepest condolences to family and friends who knew Chris best. We got acquainted with him while attending several auctions over the years, and even got to witness his love for students through the Cardinal Clays Trap team. This is a guy who always had a smile or a minute to talk- even when he didn’t. May his gracious spirit rest in peace and may we all strive to live as fully.
Our thoughts are with the family of this great man. Jack started teaching the Culinary arts program the same year that Chris started. Together they forged a bond of brotherhood, and friendship, and always helped each other with students and advice. Eisley was also born the year that they started teaching. Chris saw almost all the time and watched her Grow up for 10 years. She misses her Paxton and will remember him for a long time. We Love and miss you Paxton!!
I’m heartbroken to hear about Chris. I have so many memories of Chris and the entire Paxton family, and am very fortunate to call you extended family. I I love you all.
So sorry for your loss Laura. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.