John William Paxson, age 88, of Springdale, Arkansas passed away on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, in Fayetteville, Arkansas. He was born on November 22, 1935, in Pratt, Kansas to Inez Pearl Dauthit Morris and Joseph Paxson. After graduating from Pratt High School in 1954, John joined the United States Navy to avoid the draft. While in the navy, John was stationed on the USS Prairie. After returning home from his military service, John returned to Dillons Grocery Stores. He started with Dillions at the age of fourteen sorting pop bottles.  In 1960, Dillions transferred John to Salina, Kansas where he met the love of his life "Mary Ann" while carrying her mother's groceries.

In 1961 John and Mary Ann were married in Salina. They started their family the next year by welcoming their daughter, Stephanie, and four years later their son, John Michael, to their union. Dillions transferred John to El Dorado, Kansas. While working full-time, John got his Business Degree at Butler Community College. He continued his career with Dillions Grocery as a Store Manager with stops in Newton, Kansas and Fayetteville, Arkansas until retiring in 1993. John worked for Kraft Foods for several years before retiring for a second time.

After retirement, John loved watching his grandchildren's sports and extracurricular activities. John's hobbies were fishing, reading, watching military documentaries and his beloved Razorback sport teams.  He was an active member of the Kiwanis Club of Fayetteville-Sequoyah. John loved volunteering at Bikes, Blues and Barbecue, being a bell ringer for the Salvation Army and delivering fruit baskets to the elderly at Christmas time. John was preceded in death by his mother, Inez Pearl Morris and son, John Michael Paxson.

John is survived by wife of 63 years, Mary Ann; daughter, Stephanie (Jeff) Laney of Fayetteville; daughter-in-law, Cindy Paxson of Springdale; four grandchildren, Joshua (Molly) Paxson of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Alexis Laney of Fayetteville, Brittney Laney of Springdale, and Caitlin Laney of Bentonville; many nieces and nephews.

The memorial service will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 27th at Heritage Funeral Home Chapel in Springdale, Arkansas. A private family burial will be Friday, April 26th at Fayetteville National Cemetery. The family requested in lieu of flowers memorial contributions be made to Mt Comfort Cemetery Association 3878 W Mount Comfort Road Fayetteville, Arkansas 72704