Paul Randle Baxley

February 3, 1952 - November 12, 2021

Paul R. Baxley, 69, Canton, NC, died unexpectedly Friday, November 12, 2021, at the James H. Quillen Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Mountain Home, following a brief illness. Paul was a native of Miami, FL, and resided in Newport, TN for ten years before recently moving to Canton. He was a son of the late David Lee and Ola Lee Howze Baxley. Paul served his country in the U.S. Army, and was a proud Vietnam veteran. He was a retired heavy equipment operator, primarily operating bull-dozers. Paul was a Baptist. He loved his children and grandchildren, adored his dogs, Buddy and Hannah, enjoyed gallivanting in the mountains, tinkering with things, and telling stories about his life adventures. In addition to his parents, Paul was preceded in death by a brother, Robert Baxley. He is survived by three children, Jennifer Baxley, Canton, NC, Danielle Diaz and husband Corey, Maggie Valley, NC, Billy Herren and wife Lacy, Plant City, FL; two grandchildren, Chase and London Herren, Plant City; two brothers, David Baxley and wife Donna, Cooper City, FL, Charlie Baxley and wife Louise, Cameron, NC; two sisters, Sharon Maddox, Plant City, FL, Sue Daniels and husband Ken, Davie, FL; his former wife, mother of his children and his best friend, Gail Baxley, Canton, NC; several nieces and nephews. The graveside funeral service will be held Friday, November 19, 2021, at 2:00 P.M., in the Mountain Home National Cemetery Annex, with military honors being accorded by members of the D.A.V. Post #39, Bluff City. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 12:00-1:30 P.M. in the East Chapel of Appalachian Funeral Home, 800 E. Watauga Ave., Johnson City, TN 37601.