James L. “Jim” Claxton, Jr., 89 & a lifelong resident of Granite City, died April 11, 2024. He was born March 15, 1935, in Granite City, the only child of the late James L., Sr. and Imogene Randles Claxton. They were originally from Stewart Co., TN and Plano, TX, respectively. He was the only grandchild of the late James L. and Tennessee “Tennie” Sanders Claxton of Livermore, KY and one of two grandsons of the late John B. “J.B.” and Callie Kendall Randles of McKinney, TX.
Jim was a 1954 Granite City High School graduate and worked at Kent Grocers before serving in the Missouri Air National Guard and attending Ranken Technical College. He worked for Rock Hill Heating and Cooling, Albert Arno Inc., and C & R Mechanical. In retirement, Jim enjoyed watching his grandchildren’s sports and activities, and he remained a pillar of the community in Granite City and Madison County as a whole.
From his birth until its closure in 2012, Jim was a dedicated member of the First Baptist Church of Granite City and worked to maintain its history and mission after 2012. He was a member of the Granite City Masonic Triple Lodge #835, the Pipefitters Union, and the Sheet Metal Workers Union.
In addition to his parents and grandparents, Jim was preceded in death by his only cousin, Hobert R. Glascock, Jr. of Ocala, FL; several aunts and uncles, M. Herschel and Willie Reeves Claxton of Clarksville, TN; W. Bellfield Claxton of Nashville, TN; Wesley R. and Della Rogers Claxton of Nashville, TN; Lillian Claxton and M. Worth Vertrees of Livermore, KY; Clinton W. Randles of Los Angeles, CA; Mae Randles and Jack M. Stiver of Long Beach, CA; Fay R. Randles of Waxahachie, TX and Granite City; Grace R. Randles of McKinney, TX; and Pauline Randles & Hobert R. Glascock of Ocala, FL; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Carl A. and Helen Rhodes Bain of Granite City; and sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Marilyn Bain and William R. Ford of White Hall.
He is survived by two sons and a daughter-in-law, James L. “Jay” Claxton, III and Kyle A. & Tracey Gaudette Claxton; a grandson and his fiancée, Drake E. Claxton & Sarah E Jansen; a granddaughter, Emily E. Claxton; former spouse, Shirley Bain Claxton, as well as her extended family; her nephew and his wife, Eric M. & Jackie Daniel Ford; a great-nephew, David M. Ford; and a great-niece, Sarah E. Ford.
Private interment will take place at Sunset Hill Cemetery in Glen Carbon at a later date.
