HICKORY, N.C. — On Friday, Sept. 30, 2022, Philip John Paxson, tragically left us at 47 years old.
Phil was born in Warren on July 8, 1975, to Sarah and Ted Paxson of Lordstown.
In addition to his parents, Phil is survived by his wife, Alicia Koenig Paxson; daughters, Amelia and Juliet of the home; sisters, Diane Brewster (James) of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Laura Paxson of Fairlawn; sister-in-law, Kayla Koenig Bubar (Jason) of Tampa, Fla..; and many nieces and nephews.
After receiving a basketball scholarship, Phil instead chose to follow in his father’s footsteps and joined the Navy, serving from 1993 to 1997 on the aircraft carrier, USS George Washington. After his time in the Navy, he went to college using the GI Bill and graduated from The University of South Florida with a degree in marketing in 2001.
This precious family lost a wonderful father, husband, son and son-in-law. He had a lifelong affection for muscle cars, motorcycles, dirt bikes, boats, really anything with a motor. He traveled the world with his father-in-law, riding motorcycles. He and his wife along with their two daughters enjoyed camping and boating with family and friends. Phil put his family first and his friends, almost equal, second. He was larger than life, always ready for an adventure, with a permanent smile on his face. He would give you the shirt off his back or talk you out of the one on yours. He had the best sense of humor, could connect with anyone, and make you feel like you were the most important person in the room.
After residing in the Tampa Bay area for 23 years, he and his family decided it was time for a new adventure. He was a health system manager for applied medical specializing in medical device sales. He could have moved anywhere but they chose Hickory, N.C. He had to start from scratch with new co-workers and clients, but he was ready for the challenge and ready for the new territory. He will be greatly missed by everyone all over the globe. We will miss his pranks, his smile, his hugs, his jokes, but mostly that proud smile he would have when talking about Alicia, Amelia and Juliet.
A celebration of Phil’s life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, with the Rev. Charles Kyker officiating, at 636 Bowmans Cutover Road, Taylorsville, N.C., with full military honors. The family will receive friends following until 6 p.m. Anyone wishing to pay their respects may come by the funeral home from 1 to 6 p.m. on Friday.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Amelia and Juliet’s college fund at https://www.go
fundme.com/f/paxson-family or if you would like to send a check made out to the girls, you may send it to P.O. Box 747, Hickory, NC 28603.
Bass-Smith Funeral Home in Hickory is serving the Paxson family.
(special notice)