Tribute Wall
Loading...
L
Lydia Chopivsky Benson posted a condolence
Monday, January 25, 2016
There are very few people who added so much to a community and gave to its people as Mr. Paxton did. We all so greatly benefited from his ideas and his work. He was a wonderful, fun, and giving man whom we are blessed to all have known. I hope that indeed we can, as he requested, all "...show one person that they really love them" May his memory be eternal!
J
John & Renee Paxton posted a condolence
Friday, January 1, 2016
So sorry to hear of Chucks passing. He was a great man and made many contributions to Zion. Made us all proud to be Paxtons. God Bless.
T
Tony & Diane Galvan posted a condolence
Thursday, December 24, 2015
To The Paxton Family
Our condolences on the passing of John. He has left a mark in the Zion community.
The Galvan's
D
Darci Green posted a condolence
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
Brent, Kathy and family: I'm so very sorry to read of Chuck's passing. You're all in my thoughts and prayers. Love to all -
E
Eddie Stried posted a condolence
Monday, December 21, 2015
Chuck Paxton was my first boss, my mentor, my life-long role model, and my friend. I will miss him. So will Zion. So will all the people whose lives have been impacted by him. And that's a large group.
Chuck hired me to work at the Zion Park District when I was 15. I took great pride in being a "ZPD Boy," and I learned a lot about working--first mowing grass, helping maintain the park properties, and helping with various athletic instructional programs, and, later, as a leader in the Neighborhood Program, working with children in games, arts and crafts, even music. I remember when Chuck had asked me what I wanted to do that upcoming summer, and I said, "Anything but the Neighborhood Program!" (thinking it wasn't quite macho enough for a young athlete such as myself), but by the end of our meeting, Chuck had convinced me that I wood be good at working with kids in that kind of setting. That involvement started me on a path that would ultimately lead me to my 43-year career as a public school teacher.
Another part of my ZPD job involved umpiring Little League baseball games. I knew that Chuck was a respected umpire and referee, so we talked about rules and techniques and procedures, and he gave me a lot of good advice. While dealing with the ever-present "Little League Mother," various argumentative coaches and fans, and the other challenges of the job, I found that this, too, was something that I could do and that I came to enjoy, so, consequently, I was active as a high school official in baseball, football, and basketball for over 20 years in Illinois and Wisconsin. I even worked a football game with Chuck and his crew at Stevenson High School. While I never got to be as good an official as Chuck, I aimed at achieving and maintaining his standards.
When I was in high school, Chuck was also my Sunday School teacher. I saw the ideas and ideals of Christianity that he talked with us about on Sunday mornings in action every day as I witnessed Chuck live his life. His Park District job was very challenging, and he had to deal with many diverse and demanding people. I saw him treat everyone the same--with respect, with caring, with generosity, with fairness. His Christianity was on display continuously. This even carried over onto the softball diamonds of Zion, where the ZPD Boys fielded a team. Chuck was the pitcher, Louis Furrer was the catcher, Larry Mayfield played short, Marquis Pate played second, Terry Pearce played first, and I played third. I learned sportsmanship by watching how Chuck conducted himself, game after game. I never once saw him lose his temper on the field (or in his office--not even the time I drove a big mower between two trees and broke its axle.) Or the time he left his expensive camera on a train in Chicago--that was on a trip to the old Chicago Stadium--he took me to see the Back Hawks play--a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me. Both of those memories are good ones because of the way Chuck reacted to and dealt with the situations.
He found many opportunities to use his great sense of humor--which was often self-deprecating--that could diffuse an otherwise tense or awkward situation. I learned life lessons that have stayed with me my entire life by watching how Chuck lived his life.
During that time period, I was drafted into service as a cast member of the famous Zion Passion Play as a Roman Soldier. I had no lines, I wore an ill-fitting costume, and my most dramatic duty was to climb the ladder to help take the body of Jesus down from the Cross. I witnessed two of the 12 years that Chuck Paxton played the role of Jesus, and I watched Sunday after Sunday--dozens of performances--as Chuck mesmerized the audiences with his wonderful portrayal. I still have a vivid memory of Chuck in costume, delivering the wonderful words of our Lord. He didn't seem to me to be portraying a role--for me, he became Jesus when he was on stage.
I know that it not a kindness to put anyone up on a pedestal, but to me, Chuck Paxton was the epitome of a Christian. And that of the kind of human being that I wanted to be. Christianity is not an easy religion, but for me, Chuck Paxton showed me what it means to be a Christian in the very best meaning of the work by the way he lived his life, and I have tried to follow his example. Throughout my life, in various trying and confusing circumstances, I have found myself asking, "What would Chuck do?" and I have been lead in the right direction time after time after time.
I know that anyone who is reading this will know what I mean when I say I feel blessed and lucky to have known Chuck Paxton. Our world was made a better place for his time on earth. And the impact of his life will continue to be felt and seen for many years to come in the lives of all of us who will never forget him.
Eddie Stried
C
Corty Studebaker posted a condolence
Saturday, December 19, 2015
TO THE PAXTON FAMILY:
SORRY TO HEAR OF THE PASSING OF CHUCK. I SERVED WITH HIM IN THE ZION PASSION PLAY WHILE HE PROTRAYED THE "CHRISTIS". ALWAYS ENJOYED HIS "DIFFERENT" SENSE OF HUMOR. I NEVER KNEW IF HE WAS KIDDING ME OR IF HE WAS SERIOUS. HE TRULY LOVED THE CITY OF ZION. SERVING AS MAYOR FOR ONE TERM. I THINK HIS BIG LOVE WAS THE "SENIOR CITIZENS PROGRAM". HE WORKED HARD AND LONG WITH THE SENIORS.
LEOLA, PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN. TELL THE KIDS TO REMEMBER THE "GOOD TIMES" AND CHERISH THEM ALWAYS. MAY GOD BE WITH YOU DURNING THIS DIFFICULT TIME.
REGARDS,
CORTY
J
Jerry Taylor - Huntsville, Al posted a condolence
Saturday, December 19, 2015
So very sorry to hear this. Chuck was a great man. I have fond memories of Chuck and the Zion Park District. Prayers sent.
L
Lynn Noren posted a condolence
Saturday, December 19, 2015
Dear Leola and family,
We are so sorry to hear of Chuck's death. We will miss him greatly.
Don and Lynn Noren
M
Michael Cliff posted a condolence
Saturday, December 19, 2015
Please know how sorry I am to hear of this news. What a wonderful man and life this man had and now he can claim his victory with our Savior! It's rough to lose someone this close to Christmas. We did 10 years ago when mom left us. Know that there are many many people praying for you at this difficult time. Gods speed.
Mike Cliff
G
G. Rich posted a condolence
Saturday, December 19, 2015
I'm sorry for your loss. May God comfort and strengthen you as you grieve - Psalms 46:1.
J
John Dolan posted a condolence
Friday, December 18, 2015
To the entire Paxton family: please accept my heartfelt prayers and condolences at this time. I grieve for you, but also rejoice with you in the resurrection hope that Chuck believed and professed. Chuck and my Dad, Harry, knew each other well for many years and shared a love for Zion. And of course, along with countless others like me, Chuck Paxton played a bit part in my growing up in Zion. He will be missed. God bless you all.
M
Marlene Evans posted a condolence
Friday, December 18, 2015
Dear Lee and Family. Sorry to hear of Chuck's passing. My sincere condolences. Moving away from Zion, I miss being there for support of friends at times like this. You are in my prayers.
J
Jan Schroeder Zurcher posted a condolence
Friday, December 18, 2015
My family lived across the street from Shiloh Park, where the Cancer Treatment Center is now. My brothers worked at the golf course and my sister worked at the pool. Mr. Paxton (Chuck) was park director and so instrumental in providing wonderful opportunities for families in Zion . I will always remember him as a vital part of what helped make Zion a great place to grow up. The pool, golf course, ice skating on the pond, paddle boats and so much more...many happy memories! Thoughts and prayers to the family.
E
Eric Patmor posted a condolence
Friday, December 18, 2015
My name is Eric Patmor. My father, Gary Patmor, worked just down the hall from Chuck at the Zion Park District for many years. Those years happened to coincide with my childhood. I have so many fond memories of Chuck. He was always so kind and he would always have me come into his office and raid his container of candy. He was never too busy to say hello or ask how I was doing. Chuck was just a fantastic human being and he will be missed by the Patmor family.
R
Randall Whitmore posted a condolence
Friday, December 18, 2015
Kurt and Brent so sorry for your loss.your father was a great man.
G
Gary & Wanda Patmor posted a condolence
Friday, December 18, 2015
Lee & Family: We are so sorry to hear about the passing of Chuck. He was much more than a boss to me, he was more like a second father. The residents of Zion have lost a very special person. Our condolences go out to all of you. RIP Chuck !
j
jim smith posted a condolence
Friday, December 18, 2015
One of the nicest men I ever met. RIP, my friend. I know He was glad when i moved from Zion because I was forever complaining to him about something when He was Mayor. I know He will be missed by family and friends.
C
Carol Sohst posted a condolence
Friday, December 18, 2015
Dear Family, I'm so sorry for your loss. You're being prayed for during this time. Being Lori's friend these many years, I feel as if I knew her Dad. What a special, very wonderful man. May his precious memories help you.God Bless each of you. .
D
Don Evans posted a condolence
Thursday, December 17, 2015
So sorry to hear of Chuck's passing. We moved to Tennessee three years ago and joking with Chuck whenever I saw him at the church or ran into him around town was one of the things that I truly missed about Zion. See you at home brother!
P
The family of Charles Paxton uploaded a photo
Thursday, December 17, 2015
/tribute-images/2034/Ultra/Charles-Paxton.jpg
Please wait
Our Location
3012 Sheridan Road
Zion, IL 60099
Phone: 847-746-1234
Fax: 847-746-1237
Copyright © 2019
All Rights Reserved