James Earl “Jim” Buxton, age 73, died Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at his home near Tappan Lake after a period of declining health.

Born September 7, 1952, in Dennison, he was the son of the late Francis A Buxton and Mary Helen Campbell Buxton. A graduate of Scio High School, Jim attended Kent State University for 3 years prior to joining the Marines. Jim was a bus driver for Jewett-Scio schools and carried on his family’s legacy for many years raising cattle and farming at Lakeside Farm near Tappan Lake.

Jim grew up showing cattle and belonged to the Tappan Lake Community 4-H Club. In the 1980’s he was a member of the elite Coultrap’s and Mullinax softball teams that traveled to multiple states, and once even to Puerto Rico, to play in tournaments. He also enjoyed the few years he spent coaching the Conotton Valley girls’ basketball team. Jim was a member of the Pleasant Valley Church and the Harrison County Farm Bureau.

Surviving is his sister Linda (Don) Moore, nieces Ann (John) Vesely, Shelly (Saleem) Choudhry and Rhonda (Pete) Oszust, a nephew Bobby (Elizabeth) Brooks and twelve great nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister and brother-in-law Ruth Ann and Bob Brooks.

Services will be held Saturday, March 28 at 1 pm in Pleasant Valley Church, St Rt 250, Scio (Tappan

 Lake) with Pastor Mike Cunningham officiating. Burial will follow in Pleasant Valley Cemetery. Friends may call 3 hours prior to the service from 10 am-1 pm at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to Pleasant Valley Church, c/o Blair Heavilin, PO Box 43, Cadiz, Ohio 43907. Koch Funeral Home, Scio has been entrusted with his arrangements.