Dr. Harold Buxton

Dr. Harold Buxton, 96, of Cape Girardeau passed away Monday, May 20, 2019, at Chateau Girardeau Health Center.

He was born in Murphysboro, Illinois, on Dec. 8, 1922, to Raymond and Janie Ve Buxton. He married Maxine Davis of Jackson on March 6, 1948. She preceded him in death Dec. 14, 2008.

Harold's school years were in Murphysboro, except for two years while living with his grandparents in Samsville, Illinois, in 1934 and 1935. He graduated from Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1943 immediately prior to entering the service.

Harold practiced optometry in the U.S. Army Medical Department for three years during World War II and in Cape Girardeau for 42 years, from July 1946 until retirement in January 1989. He was particularly interested in children's visual problems and in vision therapy.

Harold was active in the First Presbyterian Church of Cape Girardeau, having been a deacon, elder and Sunday school teacher. He and Maxine had been members there since they were married in 1948.

Surviving are two sons, Kirk (Mary) Buxton of Cape Girardeau and Richard "Dick" (Teresa) Buxton of McKinney, Texas; three grandchildren, Sarah (Jeremy) Cross of Allen, Texas, Andrew (Jessica) Buxton of Austin, Texas, and Dr. Kent Buxton of St. Louis; and three great-grandchildren, Easton and Lennon Cross and Margo Buxton.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Maxine; and brother, Forest "Barney" Buxton.

Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

Funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Ellen Gurnon officiating. Burial will follow at Cape County Memorial Park.

Memorial donations may be given to First Presbyterian Church of Cape Girardeau or Chateau Girardeau Foundation.

Online condolences may be shared at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.