E. Scott Paxton

Eugene “Scott” Paxton

     Eugene “Scott” Paxton, passed away peacefully on February 3, 2022 at Hilton Head Hospital, SC., surrounded by his family. He was 55 years old.

     Scott was born on March 7, 1966 in Cumberland, MD to his parents, Carolyn and the late Eugene “Gene” Paxton.  He graduated from Keyser High School in 1984. He also attended Morialta High School in Adelaide, South Australia, as an AFS student during his junior and senior high school years.  Afterwards, he attended Potomac State College, majoring in music and journalism. 

     As a high school and college student, he worked at Keyser’s radio station, WKLP. Scott was best known locally for his musical talents and left Keyser to pursue his dream on Hilton Head Island, SC between 1988-1998.  He began his career at Shillings’ Boat House and then progressed to a prestigious spot at the Harbor Side Café in Harbor Town.  He also worked at WHTK radio there and shared a morning radio show with a female colleague.  Upon his return to Keyser, he continued to work at radio stations in the area and also was employed by the USPS as a substitute rural carrier. 

     In 2018, traumatic events in Scott’s life, ultimately led him to find the Lord.  During this time, and guided by special mentors, he began sharing his musical talents with others at several nursing homes in Keyser, Westernport, Lonaconing, Cumberland, and Frostburg.  He often was asked by several churches to share his testimony and talents with their congregations.  He performed during the Keyser Hope Fest and the Tri-Towns Home Fest, as well as the Presbyterian sponsored Church Christmas Concerts.    When the COVID 19 pandemic eliminated all inside gatherings, Scott decided to return to Hilton Head, where he could play his music at outside venues. There he was able to continue and finish the career he started 33 years earlier.

     Scott is survived by his mother Carolyn Paxton, his stepfather, Charles “Bill” Kopfle and his sister, Gina Lynn Speight (Jeff).  He also leaves behind a niece, Leslie Youtsey (Emerson) and nephews, Paxton Speight, Paul Speight (Erika, Jude and Noa) and Scott Speight (Christen, Cason and Ryder). He was preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandparents, his father, and his daughter, Olivia Nicole.

     A Celebration of Life will be held on April 2, 2022 at the Markwood Funeral Home, Keyser, WV at 2:00 pm.  Friends will be received two hours prior to this service.  He will be buried with his departed family in Potomac Gardens.

     Expressions of sympathy may be made to Scott’s favorite charity: Whiskers, Inc., PO Box 99, Westernport, MD 21562

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