Wesley Cross Paxson, Sr.

Wesley Paxson Sr., 100, passed away peacefully on December 13, 2024, at McGraw Hospice Center in Jacksonville. Born December 23, 1923, in Chester, PA, to Anna Cross and Frank Paxson, he moved to Jacksonville in 1925 when his father was transferred by Sun Oil Company, and he remained a lifelong resident.

A standout basketball player at Riverside High School and Georgia Tech, Wes was inducted into both the Jacksonville Boys & Girls Club Athletic Hall of Fame and the Georgia Tech Athletic Hall of Fame.

During high school summers, he worked on construction projects for his stepfather, Henry Miller, inspiring him to pursue electrical engineering. Wes enrolled at Georgia Tech in 1941, joined the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps, and served on active duty from 1941 to 1946. After the war, he earned his BSEE degree in 1947.

Wes began his career at Miller Electric Company (1949–1956) before founding Paxson Electric Company in 1957, specializing in electrical contracts for hospitals, power plants, and office buildings, along with residential and commercial service.

A dedicated community leader, Wes served as: President, Jacksonville Children’s Museum and Gator Bowl Association; Chairman, Greater Jacksonville Open (now The Players Championship); and Board member, TPC Charities, Atlantic National Bank, and American Heritage Life Insurance Company. Appointed by Governors Claude Kirk and Reuben Askew, Wes chaired the Jacksonville Expressway Authority (now JTA) for five years, overseeing key projects like building Butler Boulevard, the Dames Point Bridge, and the I-295 East Bypass.

An avid golfer, Wes was a founding member of Hidden Hills Golf Club, TPC Sawgrass, Pablo Creek Golf Club, and the Society of Seniors Golf Association.

Predeceased by his parents, stepfather, son Wesley Jr., and sister Lynn (Paxson) Smith, Wes is survived by his wife of 37 years, Betty Barrett Paxson; daughters Kathy Paxson and Rose (Ralph) Patterson; son Ambrose (Orlene) Paxson; daughter-in-law Susan Harby Paxson; grandchildren Wesley III, Justin (Katrina), Mark Paxson, Patti Patterson, Lilly, and Georgia Paxson; great-grandchildren Kiara and Duncan Paxson; and brother Neil (Joanne) Paxson.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to his care team, Nina Montone, Shelley Jimenez, and the Hospice staff.

A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, December 30, at 2 p.m. at Christ Episcopal Church, 400 San Juan Drive, Ponte Vedra Beach.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: The First Tee of North Florida, 475 W. Town Place, Suite 115, St. Augustine, FL 32092; Georgia Tech Foundation, Jacksonville Scholarship Fund, 760 Spring Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30308; or Christ Church Foundation.