Lynn Claxon

LIEUTENANT COLONEL LYNN R CLAXON OBITUARY

Lieutenant Colonel Lynn R Claxon (USAF, Retired) passed away on March 27, 2023, with his family by his side, at the age of 81, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Lynn was born in Louisville, Kentucky on June 24, 1941. He was preceded in death by his parents Karsner F. Claxon and Julia Elizabeth Rawlinson and his wife Dale A Claxon. He was an only child.

Lynn is survived by daughters Autumn Janssen (Timothy) of Laveen, AZ, and Ashley Claxon of Las Vegas, NV., and granddaughters Sydney Julianna Janssen and Shelby Brooke Janssen.

Lynn graduated from the University of Louisville with a degree in Electrical Engineering in 1964. After graduating, he was commissioned into the US Air Force and attended Navigator Flight Training (1965) and Electronic Warfare Training (1966). He also obtained his Private Pilot License (1986).

During the Viet Nam war, he flew the EB-66 and MC-130 and was an original F4C Wild Weasel. It was during this time he received his callsign/nickname of Scooter.  Lynn also flew the F4-E. He amassed over 2700 flying hours with 175 combat missions in Southeast Asia.

Following his combat tours, he was the Emergency Actions Officer at Headquarters Pacific Air Force, Chief Electronic Warfare Operations for the Second Allied Tactical Air Force (NATO), and Director of Tactics and Test Support for the 57th Fighter Wing.

While on active duty, Lynn received the Distinguished Flying Cross, Defense Meritorious Service Award, Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal with 12 Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Oak Leaf Cluster, and the National Defense Service Medal.

After retiring from the USAF, Lynn was employed by BDM International/TRW Inc., as the Technical Support Task Manager working for the Detachment 1, Space Warfare Center, and the 547th Intelligence Squadron at Nellis AFB, NV. His final employment was as a Senior Engineering Analyst working in defense-related engineering services for Modern Technology Solutions, Inc.

Lynn Claxon was a man of many interests, including his lifetime love of a good joke. If his wife Dale was around when he was telling a joke, she would always ruin it because she would tell the punchline before he started or finished the joke. He was an active member of The Wild Weasels and The Association of Old Crows. He loved the First Friday Beer calls where he could share his love of firearms and the stories of his many careers. He enjoyed talking with friends and he never missed a beat while telling anecdotes that happened on one of his flying missions.

Lynn was a true American Patriot, who loved his wife, his daughters, his granddaughters, and his many friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to any Veterans Charity.

Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery

Tuesday, May 30, 2023, @11:00 am

1900 Veterans Memorial Drive

Boulder City, Nevada 89005