A bench located between Alamance and Long buildings was dedicated Friday, Feb. 18 in memory of Tom Thaxton, who worked at Elon for 22 years as a plumber and heating and air conditioning mechanic. He died April 11, 2004.
Registrar Mark Albertson remembered Thaxton as “a quiet man, very reflective. I respected him as a person and for his professional abilities.”
Thaxton was remembered for his wood carvings of shore birds and his love of flea markets and antiques. He was the first employee in the utilities shop to work on call after hours to handle emergencies in both the plumbing and electrical departments.
Thaxton’s wife, Ellen, son, David, and daughter, Melissa Holmes, secretary in the registrar’s office, all attended the ceremony. Memorial benches are dedicated in honor of Elon employees who die during their term of service to the university.