NAGE Mourns Loss of Local President
May 6, 2008
NAGE is saddened to announce the passing of Gary L. Paxton, president of Local R5-66 at the Memphis VA hospital.
Brother Paxton exemplified the spirit of the union, which is united by the belief in the dignity and worth of workers everywhere and is dedicated to improving the lives of workers and their families to create a more just and humane society.
Brother Paxton served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps and as a federal government employee for more than two decades. He proudly cared for our veterans at VA hospitals in all corners of the country and showed them the highest level of dignity and respect in the mental health services.
In his campaign for the presidency of his local, Brother Paxton wrote, “Our nation’s veterans [deserve] the best care they can possibly receive, as they have put themselves in harm’s way for each of us on a voluntary basis.”
As a local president, Brother Paxton believed that he and his members could ensure superior patient care by improving the working conditions of caregivers. He encouraged members to speak out against injustice and to fight for what they believed in. He urged them “to not be silent, to voice your opinions, and to stand up and be a reflection of what you want your union to be.”
As a union, we can honor the memory of Brother Paxton by standing up and carrying forward his message of unity, strength, and respect for all workers so that we may create a more just and humane society.