Almus Eugen Laxson

Almus Eugene Laxson, 84, of Rogers, Arkansas, passed away Tuesday, January 6th, 2015, at Northwest Medical Center in Bentonville surrounded by family after a brief illness. Gene left this life as he lived it; with a positive outlook on his terms, and his life story is remarkable. Gene loved activities that involved other people, which is why he enjoyed travelling on Caribbean cruises, attending Arkansas Razorback sporting events, and belonging to the Masonic Order and the Shriners. Gene was honorably discharged from the United State Air Force as a disabled veteran and was proud of his military service throughout his life. Gene was born September 2nd, 1930 in Clarendon, Arkansas to Almus G. Laxson and Lena Mae Clark. His early years were difficult in eastern Arkansas, as his family was extremely poor. When he was 10, his mother passed away. To find work, "Grandpa" Deaton was forced to travel, so Gene went to live with his maternal grandmother and aunt, and his half-siblings went to live at an orphanage in Little Rock. It was during this time that the baby boy in the family was adopted away. This would become a significant event for Gene, and his brothers and sister later in life. Gene graduated from Stuttgart High School and in 1951, enlisted in the Air Force. In December of 1951, he married Margaret Terhune of Brinkley, with whom he had three children; Darrell Eugene, deceased, Sheryl Laxson Brown and husband, Greg of The Woodlands, Texas and Carol Laxson Turley and husband, Scott of Fayetteville, Ark. After his military service, Gene worked as a radio operator for the Arkansas State Police in Forrest City, and later as a design draftsman for the Traveler Boat Company in Little Rock and Ouachita Marine in Arkadelphia. In 1970, Gene and his family moved to Fayetteville for him to attend the University of Arkansas, where he earned his Bachelor's of Science in Industrial Engineering. It was during this time he developed his lifelong love of the Razorbacks. Upon graduation, Gene went to work for International Paper Company in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Later Gene took a position at the Pine Bluff Arsenal as a production engineer, where he worked to retirement. In 1971, while going to college in Fayetteville, Gene and his siblings were contacted by their infant baby brother, who had been adopted some 30 years prior. It turned out that his half-bother Billy Joe Samuels had been living not more than an hour away from him in Pea Ridge, Arkansas. The amazing thing is that if the separated brothers had crossed paths while living in northwest Arkansas, they would have certainly recognized each other from their striking similarity. In 1983, Gene married Loreta Muriel Laxson, his wife of 31 years, till his passing. With Muriel, Gene's family expanded to include Saundra Van Landingham and husband, Terry of Pine Bluff, Ark., Cynthia Brennan and husband, Terry of Tulsa, Okla., Stephanie Doss of St. Louis, Mo., and Greg McAdoo and wife, Julie of Rogers, Ark. Gene's family gave him five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren to love and cherish. Gene and Muriel retired to northwest Arkansas in 1994, where they settled into a full and busy life together. They enjoyed frequent trips to Branson, where Gene was known to participate in the shows. Gene and Muriel were regulars with their friends at the McDonald's on Walton Blvd in Rogers every Monday through Friday for their Morning Coffee group. They found their church family at First Christian Church in Rogers, Ark., where they were members of the Disciple Sunday School class. Once a month, Gene and Muriel helped to welcome family and friends as church greeters for the congregation. Gene was a lifelong Mason, and was Lodge Master and Secretary for Masonic Lodge #460 in Rogers. Also, he served as the Secretary-Treasurer for the NWA Shrine Club. As a member of the Nomad Shriners, he played in the Banjo Band, and volunteered for the Shriners Circus held at Parsons Stadium in Springdale. Gene was always eager to distribute a Shriners coloring book and colors for a child or their parent, as appropriate. Gene didn't mind being in the spotlight. He loved to demonstrate his talent for "calling the ducks" without the aid of a manufactured duck call to everyone. He also liked to dance, and was a member of the Sophisticated Ladies Plus tap dancers of Bella Vista – Gene was the "Plus" of course! He taught his daughters, Sheryl and Carol how to jitterbug, so that regardless of the location - be it at a restaurant or the NWA Mall food court - if there was space to dance and big band music playing, he was dancing. A memorial service with Masonic rites and military honors, celebrating Gene Laxson's life, will be held at 2 p.m., Sunday, January 11th, 2015 at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), 905 South 13th Street, Rogers, Ark., with the Reverend Shawn Wallace officiating. The internment will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, January 12th, 2015, at the National Cemetery in Fayetteville, Ark. In the spirit of Gene's life, and in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children in St. Louis, located at 2001 South Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, Mo. 63131-3597. Arrangements have been entrusted to Stockdale-Moody Funeral Services of Rogers. Words of comfort may be shared at stockdalefuneral.com.