James E. "Jim" Thaxton

James Edwin Thaxton, 89 of Watkinsville Georgia passed away on July 24, 2015. He was born in Athens Georgia on September 4, 1925 to parents, Dr. Ralph and Helen Clarkson Thaxton. He grew up in Athens Georgia and was always interested in Agriculture. As a child, he became interested in chickens and grew fryers and layers in the backyard. After graduating from Athens High in 1942, he graduated from the University of Georgia in 1945 with a major in Poultry Science. From 1945 to 1948, he worked at Thornwell Orphanage in Clinton, South Carolina where he became interested in turkeys. From 1948 to 1954, he served as the turkey specialist at Clemson University Extension in York, South Carolina. From 1954-1956, he served as Assistant Extension Poultry Specialist at the University of Georgia where he worked with turkeys.
In 1956, he started Thaxton's Turkeys, Inc. in Watkinsville Georgia. The business included hatching turkey poults, producing hatching eggs, and growing turkeys. The need for poultry products brought other new businesses in the area which brought considerable growth to Oconee County. He was instrumental in forming a local cooperative feed mill. He served as President of Georgia Turkeys Farms, Inc. where he spent countless hours advising and accommodating the needs of turkey growers within the area. Thaxton's Turkeys Inc. had the only turkey hatchery in Georgia. When the hatchery operations closed in 1993, millions of turkeys had been hatched and sent to 30 different farmers in 11 different Georgia counties since 1956.
Over the years, he also contributed to the growth of Oconee County by his participation in other community services. He was instrumental in establishing the local volunteer fire department. He served as an Elder in Friendship Presbyterian Church and President of Oconee County Farm Bureau. He was an officer and member of the Watkinsville Civitan Club, Georgia Turkey Association, Oconee County Volunteer Fire Department, Clarke-Oconee Cattlemen's Association, and Eastern Piedmont Beekeepers Association. He impacted the growth of the banking services in Oconee County. After serving on the board of directors at Oconee State Bank for three years, he helped organize the Bank of Georgia which is presently the Athens First Bank. Later, he helped organize the North Georgia Bank. Members of Oconee County who knew Mr. Thaxton well describe him as a very wise man. Family and friends feel blessed to have known him.
Preceded in death by his wife, Rachel Thaxton, he is survived by his family; Brother, Bill Thaxton; Daughter, Barbara (Elzia) Duncan; Sons, Eddy (Beverly) Thaxton and Bruce (Beth) Thaxton; four Grandchildren, J.W. (Mariah) Thaxton, Paul Thaxton, Taylor Thaxton, and Ben Thaxton; and one Great-Grandson, Elijah (Eli) James Thaxton.
Our family wishes to express appreciation to the many caregivers at Care to Continue and St. Mary's Hospice that treated him with grace and dignity.
Visitation will be at 5:00-7:00 PM at Lord and Stephens West Funeral Home on July 26th, and Funeral services will be at 11:00 AM at Lord and Stephens West Funeral Home on July 27th. Burial will be at Oconee Memorial Park Cemetery.
For those wishing, donations may be made in lieu of flowers in his name to: Princeton United Methodist Church Capital Campaign Fund or Oconee County Volunteer Fire Rescue Appreciation Dinner Fund.