Gary Ray Laxton

On Sunday December 14, 2025, Gary Ray Laxton, age 72 of Charlotte, North Carolina crossed from this life into eternal peace, lovingly received by those who had been waiting for him.

He was born on May 3, 1953 in Traverse City, Michigan to parents Lothery J Laxton and Marie Watters Laxton. Due to his father’s service in the U.S. Air Force, Gary spent his childhood in many places including Germany, Japan, California, Hawaii, and Texas. This greatly contributed to his love of people and cultures from around the world.

He graduated from Radford High School in Honolulu, Hawaii, where he enjoyed surfing, teaching karate, playing music and fully embracing the island’s way of life. After a year at Brigham Young University Hawaii studying marine biology, he served a two-year mission preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ in Paris, France for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He received a bachelor’s degree in French from Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio and another bachelor’s degree in computer science from Middle Tennessee State University, where he met his best friend and wife, Roxane. They were married on May 29, 1983, in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. After graduation, he spent six years in Dayton, Ohio working as a computer programmer for Reynolds and Reynold Software company. In 1990 they moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, which is the place they have called home for 35 years.

He continued to travel the world during his professional career as a computer programmer and software engineer working all across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Honduras, England, and Ireland.

Gary showed his love for Jesus Christ by serving others and never turned down an opportunity to help. He was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints where he served in many capacities, touching thousands of lives through friendship and service. Some of his favorite callings were youth seminary teacher, bishopric member and scout master. Gary befriended everyone he came into contact with and treasured his friendships dearly.

He was an excellent mechanic and never came across something he couldn't fix. Gary loved to sail, ski, play pickleball and tennis. He was an amateur radio operator and a pilot. His deep love for music was evident in his natural talent and wide-ranging abilities which he joyfully expressed through the guitar, ukulele, singing, and countless other ways.

Above all, Gary loved his family with all his heart. He selflessly devoted his life to his wife and children, and ultimately his grandchildren, who lovingly call him Papaw. He gave everything he had physically, emotionally, and spiritually to show his family that he loved them and that they meant everything to him. Gary shared his love of the gospel of Jesus Christ with his children, and was never afraid to say "I love you."

A beloved husband and father, Gary is survived by his wife Roxane Sanders Laxton; his siblings, Charles (Junghee) Laxton, Carrie (Paul) Darata, Lonnie (Denise) Laxton; his children, Logan (Hayley) Laxton, Morgan (Chad) Christensen, Laura (Austin) Whittier, and Camille Laxton; and his 10 beautiful grandchildren, Chandler, Andrew, Henry, Molly, Jolene, Konrad, Danner, Wynona, Willow, and Rosaleen.

Gary's family has given the family of Lowe-Neddo Funeral Home the privilege of caring for him and for them. A service will be held at noon on Saturday, December 20, 2025, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2500 Rocky River Road, Charlotte, NC 28213. Visitation will take place from 11 AM until the time of service. Interment to follow at Sunset Memory Gardens, 8901 Lawyers Road, Charlotte, NC 28227.

Gary's spirit lives on, and his kind heart will be remembered for many years to come.