James Claxton

1940 - 2014

James Newman Claxton, Jr. - DUNWOODY - James Newman Claxton, Jr. of Dunwoody, passed away quietly in his sleep on November 4th at Peachtree Christian Hospice, surrounded by the warmth and love of his family. Born in Swainsboro, GA in 1940, he was the son of the late James Newman Claxton, Sr. and Gretell Riner Claxton. James was a 1957 graduate of Savannah High School and continued his studies at Georgia State University. He worked in Atlanta for most of his career with Cotton States Insurance Company (now Country Financial) as a life insurance marketing consultant and had retired in 2010 after fifty plus years in the business. He was an avid student of insurance and obtained several professional designations, including Chartered Life Underwriter, Chartered Financial Consultant, Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow, and Chartered Advisor for Senior Living. He was an insurance man extraordinaire who acted as advisor and mentor to Cotton States agents throughout the Southeast. His quick Southern wit and charm and his desire to help people gained him the respect, love and admiration of all those who worked with him. James, along with his wife Sue, was the quintessential fan of Bluegrass music and they could be seen at most Bluegrass events in the Atlanta metro area and around the Southeast. Jim had his own radio show on WRFG for several years in the 1990's and was known as a scholar and trivia buff in everything Bluegrass. He also attended local community meet-ups where he would sing and dance to true, old-time Bluegrass, gospel and country music. James was predeceased by a son, Curtis Perry Claxton. He is survived by his loving wife, Susan Phibbs Claxton; two children, Melba Claxton of Lawrenceville and David Claxton of Buford; four grandchildren, Jamie Richardson, Brandon Richardson (Ashley), Ashley Claxton Childress (Eric) and Dave Claxton (Kacy); four great grandchildren, Kaci, Noah, Peyton and Karsyn; four siblings, Wilma Claxton Strickland of Savannah, Charles Claxton (Rebekah) of Blowing Rock, NC, Verlyn Claxton (Lynn) of Concord NC and Robert Claxton (Nancy) of Shellman Bluff GA. Funeral services will be held on Friday, November 7, 2014 at 2:00 pm at Crowell Brothers Peachtree Chapel Funeral Home. A reception will immediately follow at Everette Music Barn, 4055 Stonecypher Road, Suwanee, GA 30024. Visitation with the family will be on Thursday, November 6, 2014 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm at Crowell Brothers Funeral Home. A private burial will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that any contributions in James' memory be made out to ETSU Bluegrass-Claxton Memoriam / East Tennessee State University, P.O. Box 70435, Johnson City, TN 37614. Their program in Bluegrass, Old Time, and Country Music Studies will help carry on the music tradition that was so much a part of his life. James was one of a kind. His intellect, his wonderful gift of humor and wit, and his love of family, friends and music will be sadly missed by all those whose lives he touched so deeply. On-line condolences can be made at www.crowellbrothers.com. Crowell Brothers Funeral Home Peachtree Chapel, 5051 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard Peachtree Corners/Norcross, Georgia 30092 770-448-5757 Savannah Morning News November 6, 2014 Please sign our Obituary Guest Book at savannnahnow.com/obituaries.