Mr. Larry E. Paxton, 80, of Rochester, passed away at 7:10 AM, Saturday, November 21 , 2015 at Peabody Retirement Community of North Manchester.

On July 15 , 1935, Larry Eugene was born in Henry Township, a treasured son of Russell and Jessie Landis Paxton.  Growing up as one of ten children, Larry shared his childhood with four brothers and five sisters.  With great  Flyer pride he graduated from Akron High School in 1953, where he starred on the basketball team.

Larry and Patty L. Bilyew were married on January 31 , 1955. Together they shared nearly 61 years of life's adventures.  From their union came a beautiful daughter Deb.  Over the years the family tree continued to grow with the added blessings of a granddaughter Lacey and two great-granddaughters.

With a passion for agriculture, Larry enjoyed grain farming until  retiring in1986.  During the early years he had a milk route that required lifting the heavy metal milk cans to the truck, prior to the bulk tank era.  He later worked for  Senco as sales  service rep of  pneumatic airguns and nailers.  During his tenure with Senco, Larry designed and invented a robotic nailer used in the industrial setting.

As the patriarch of the Paxton family Larry was proud to oversee four generations.  He looked forward to family celebrations and the holidays.   Remembered as a man with a solid work ethic Larry worked seven days a week.  As a loving father, he always made time each day for Deb.  Many times she accompanied him on the milk route.  Other times she stayed at home, but when the milk truck pulled into the drive, not only Deb but the neighborhood kids raced out to greet him, as they all knew it was playtime and game time with Larry.

Later, Patty would beckon them to dinner.  The kitchen table was a place of family time.  After the completion of the meal the three would relax, talk about the days events, and maybe play games,  but always set aside time for teaching their pre-schooler Deb,   teaching some lessons to better prepare her for her formal school days ahead.  Math lessons would include dice or cards making it a game and making it fun.

When Lacey was a youngster growing up,  Grandpa Larry always accompanied her on classroom field trips. They were attired in complimentary clothing, stylished dressed, perfect for the adventure of the day.  He never missed an event always having fun making memories for a lifetime.

Left to cherish Larry's memory are his wife Patty; a daughter, Deborah Paxton of Rochester; granddaughter Lacey O'Keefe and husband Shaun of Allentown, PA; two great grandchildren: Carly Elizabeth, age 4 and Teagan Kinley, age 1; two brothers: Edward Paxton and Earl "Bud" Paxton and wife Phyllis, both of Rochester; and several nieces and nephews.

Preceding Larry in death are his parents, five sisters: Charlotte Keesey, Neva Stackhouse, Freida Geiger, Edna Curtis, Bonnie Garber; two brothers: James Paxton and Harold Paxton and his father and mother in-law, Joseph Bilyew and Eva Martin Bilyew.

Private family services will be held in the Good Family Funeral Home of Rochester with Pastor Larry Pyeatt officiating. Interment will be in the Rochester IOOF Cemetery.