Larry Thaxton

HURON — On the evening of Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, surrounded by the immense love of his family, Larry Thaxton sadly began his heavenly journey. He was born on Oct. 12, 1950, in Fremont, Ohio. In the fifth grade, he moved to Huron and later "Turtle" graduated from Huron High School in 1968. He began his career at the Norfolk Southern Railroad, working there as a summer job. After several attempts at college, he served in the United States Army. When he was drafted in 1970 and was sent to Vietnam, where he was awarded a purple heart. After his honorable discharge, he began his 42-year career on the railroad. Larry had a funny sense of humor and loved a good dad joke, many times embarrassing his children. He had a heart of gold and was always willing to offer a kind word or gesture when needed. He was an excellent example of what a great father and husband could be and passed that onto his family. He loved to travel and took his family on many "themed" vacations. He loved to golf, listen to Springsteen, and watch the Ohio State Buckeyes, but his true passion was for the Cleveland Indians. He was a season ticket holder and followed them out to Arizona during spring training, where he met his new friends, the AZ boys who became lifelong friends of his. His last outing, he was gifted by some earthly angels, a dugout suite at Progressive Field. His family will never forget his smile as he sat and looked out onto the field one last time. Those left to celebrate his life include his wife of 42 years — his "woman" as he lovingly referred to her — Valjean (Link). Carrying on his legacy and what drove him during his valiant cancer fight, are his four sons and two daughters. Nicholaus (Megan) and his children Sophia and Aubrey, Elizabeth and her children Maddie and Braxton, Derrick (Margaret) and his children Helen, Arlo, and Lionel, Meghan (Bart) and her children Morgan and Jackson, Nolan (Taylor) and his son Brody, and his youngest son Samuel Joseph. Those who knew him knew his wife and children were most important to him and were what kept him going each day. His special "extras," who he considered as his own, include Ashley and Jacob, Dennis and Taryn. So very many special friends including Gregg, Dave and Curt, as well as many others, many since childhood, his time in the military, and his time on the railroad, will too miss him immensely. He is also survived by his siblings including his beloved brother Rick, Cheryl and Greg. Throughout his cancer journey, we encountered some of the most fantastic and caring professionals. His family wishes to thank Dr. Moshe Ornstein and his team at the Cleveland Clinic, Dr. Calabrese, the pall-med team, and especially his daughter, advocate, and researcher, our CNP Elizabeth. Those who went before him include his parents OD and Marjorie Thaxton, brother Robert, his in-laws Larry and Helen Link, and his sister-in-law Sarajane. Larry asked us to throw him a big party and that is what we will do with a celebration of life at 2 p.m. on Sept. 18, at the pavilion at the Thunderbird South golf course. Private burial service will be held at Scott Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his honor to Huron Helping Hands Food Pantry, 820 Cleveland Rd. E., Huron 44839, a scholarship for St. Peter School (Huron) students, where his children attended for 33 consecutive years and where he held an athletic director position, 430 Main St., Huron, as well as to the Wounded Warrior Project, 8880 Rio San Diego Drive, Suite 900, San Diego, CA 92108. "Cancer can take away all of my physical abilities. It cannot touch my mind, it cannot touch my heart and it cannot touch my soul. And those three things are going to carry on forever." - Jimmy V. Foster Funeral Home & Crematory, Huron, is assisting the family and condolences can be made at fosterfh.com.