Donald Eugene (Blackie) Claxton was born in Italy, TX on January 10, 1929. He departed this life at Seton Hospital, Austin, TX on January 15, 2014, surrounded by his loving family. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mary Nell Wood Claxton, daughters Donna Johnson (and husband Bobby), Rita Stringer (and husband Michael), and son Brent Claxton (and wife Berkeley), six grandchildren, seven great-children. He is also survived by many extended family members, in-laws, and numerous nieces and nephews.He was predeceased by his parents, Luther Vaughn and Ida Lee Claxton, and his two sisters, Mildred Claxton Carter and Geraldine Claxton Brown. Mr. Claxton was a graduate of Ennis High School and North Texas State University; attended SMU law school, and was retired from Hartford Insurance Company. He was a Navy veteran. As a young man, he had many jobs and interests he worked in an ice house, he worked for the railroad, he took flying lessons, and sold magazines door to door. He was a catcher and played farm league baseball.Blackie was a great friend and neighbor and always willing to help anyone in need . He could fix anything be it skinned knees, toys, tvs, or appliances. His garage was legendary for having any tool or part you could name, and some you couldnt. He was a great cook and he collected so many cookbooks, he started hiding them from Mom in the garage. He had a green thumb and anything he planted flourished. He loved music and was fascinated by musical instruments. He rebuilt two antique pump organs creating parts when he couldnt find them, and he built his own dulcimer.He could be depended on to be present when any of his kids were involved. He never missed a piano recital, a band concert, a football game, or Vacation Bible School Commencement. He was a great sports fan following the Longhorns and the Cowboys, although they disappointed him greatly in the past few years. He loved being out on the golf course and played whenever he had the opportunity. One of his favorite places to travel was Red River, New Mexico and he and Mary Nell chose Red River to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary in 2003 with all their children and grandchildren.He was a voracious reader, continuing to read the Wall Street Journal up until last week and followed all political issues closely. He never stopped learning, taking up an interest in computers and genealogy after retirement. He was the first in the family to have a Facebook page. You could ask him anything history, science, literature, geography and he always knew the answer no matter how obscure the topic might be.After his stroke, the speech therapist obtained a special computer for him to communicate with. She couldnt figure out exactly how to program it, so he took the manual and figured it out. Talking was one of his favorite activities and his inability to do so frustrated him greatly. Nevertheless, he was able to elicit all kinds of information from his caregivers and visitors. He was a great favorite with the staff at Regency Village, and he appreciated all the assistance the therapists gave him. Through their good efforts and care, we were blessed to have four years with him following his stroke in 2010. A Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Friday, January 17, 2013 at Harrell Funeral Home, 4435 Frontier Trail, Austin, TX. His Funeral service will be at Harrell Funeral Home on Saturday, January 18, 2014 at 10:00 a.m., followed by burial at Live Oak Cemetery.Memorials in Donald's name can be made to: American Parkinson's Disease Association, 135 Parkinson Ave, Staten Island, NY 10305.