Richards Wallace Claxton

Richards (Dick) Wallace Claxton of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, went home to be with the Lord on June 20, 2023. He was 86 years old.

Dick was born on February 16, 1937, to Ernest and Marjorie (Cathcart) Claxton in Oakland, California. His father worked in the pharmaceutical industry, and his mother was a nurse. He graduated from Berkeley High School in 1955, was commissioned in the US Air Force in 1958, and married the love of his life in 1963. He received his BS in aeronautical engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology in 1969, and an MBA from Auburn University in 1978.

A test pilot and Vietnam veteran, Dick retired from the air force after twenty-seven years of active duty, taught high school for several years, then worked for a civilian contractor. He was an avid golfer, skilled handyman, lifelong student of the Bible, and dedicated family man. Dick had a warm smile for everyone. He was thoughtful, generous, and playful.

Dick is survived by Judy (Hirst), his wife of sixty years; three children: Dianne (Matt), James, and Beth; six grandsons: Jerome (Amanda), Chris (Ami), Patrick, Jacob, Hayden, and A.J.; and one great-grandson: Sean. His older sister, Nancy (Claxton) Creech, preceded him in death.

Dick’s life will be celebrated at First Baptist Church of Mount Juliet.

735 N Mt Juliet Rd, Mt Juliet, TN 37122

Monday, June 26th, at 11:00 a.m.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.neptunesociety.com/location/nashville-cremation for the Claxton family.