Johnny William Laxton,

Johnny William Laxton, age 73, of Granite Falls, passed away in Hospice of Caldwell Co. in Hudson, on Monday, March 12th, 2012.   He was born on June, 19th, 1938 in Caldwell county to the late Fred and Estelle Fox Laxton.  He was a retired farmer. Johnny had operated Laxton’s Barber Shop with his brother Forest, in Hickory. Johnny had operated the Dudley Barber Shop in Dudley Shoals. Johnny was a member of Temple Hill Baptist Church where he had served as Chairman of Deacons, as well as on the Pulpit Committee, was a Sunday school teacher, Chair of the Cemetery Committee, and was on the Building and Grounds Committee. He had been an active member of the Dudley Shoals Ruritan. Johnny was well known as a breeder of Beagles and was active in field trials and just running the dogs with friends. He was elected to serve with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency in Caldwell county.  He served in the United States Navy, of which he was very proud. In addition to his parents and his brother Forest, he was also preceded in death by his brother, Fred Laxton Jr, and one sister Sadie Laxton Mooneyham. He is survived by his wife of fifty years, Grace Brown Laxton, of the home and two daughters Teresa Conley and husband Bobby; and Johnna Benfield and husband Daryl - all of Granite Falls. Johnny has four grandchildren who were the apple of his eye: Erin Conley and Justin Conley & wife Kaycee, and Jonathan and Elicha Benfield - all of Granite Falls. Johnny was expecting his first great-grandchild, Bentley Laxton Conley on May 4th.  Johnny and Grace provided a home for a special nephew, Steve Wallen of Granite Falls. He has four sisters, Charlene Harrison of Mauldin, S.C. , Polly Bolick, and husband Wes of Bethlehem, Brenda Terrell and husband Larry of Granite Falls, and Jan Griffin and husband Ronnie of Germantown, NC.  He has a host of nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held at Temple Hill Baptist Church from 6:00 - 8:00 PM on Thursday, March 15th, 2012 Funeral Services will be held on Friday, March 16th, 2012 at 3:00 PM at Temple Hill with burial in the church cemetery. The body will lie in state thirty minutes before the service.  Rev. Darrell Hatchell , Rev. Clyde Bumgarner and the Rev. Gary W. Jennings will officiate. Pallbearers will be Dean Jenkins, Burel Marshall, Steve Laxton, Rocky Chapman, Justin Conley, and Jonathan Benfield. Military rites will be conducted by Chapter 84 Disabled American Veterans of Taylorsville, and Chapter 6 Disabled  American Veterans Hudson.  In addition to flowers memorials may be made Temple Hill Baptist and Hospice of Caldwell Co.  Alexander Funeral and Cremation Service of Taylorsville has been entrusted with arrangements.