Obituary of Doral Salmon Paxman

April 2, 1930 – Raymond, Alberta

October 31, 2022 - Calgary, Alberta

Doral Paxman, beloved husband of Margaretha (Marge) Hunsperger, of Calgary, AB, passed away on Monday, October 31, 2022, at the age of 92 years.

Doral was born in Raymond, AB, on April 2, 1930. He was raised on his family’s farm near Raymond. After graduating from Raymond High School, Doral traveled to Ontario to work, a memorable adventure of which he often told stories. After returning to Alberta, he received a call to serve as a missionary in the Canadian Mission of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. This took him straight back to Ontario to the Salt Lake Mission Home for training. Doral loved serving the Lord and recalls this as one of the great experiences of his life. After his mission, Doral was keen to go to university. He began his degree in Calgary at Mount Royal College, after completing the two-year program there, he attended the University of Oklahoma, where he finished his undergraduate work with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering.

Back home, working in the petroleum industry and just prior to Christmas 1956, Doral started taking notice “of the attractive and pleasant young lady,” Marge Hunsperger. He asked her to the New Year’s Eve Dance at the church and the rest is history. They were married nine months later and moved to Pennsylvania for eighteen months, where Doral received a Master’s degree in Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering, and they welcomed their first child, Cheryl.

After Doral graduated, they settled their family in Calgary where, except for a year of university in Oklahoma, they remained. Doral worked most of his career at Unocal, a petroleum company. Marge and Doral raised a family of six children with great energy, love, spirituality, trips to Switzerland and countless card games. They were married for 64 years, building life-long friendships with church members and neighbors who loved Doral for his untiring kindness and support.

Doral was dedicated to his wonderful wife Marge and to their ever-growing family. He attended their children’s, and later, grandchildren’s many school events and theatrical productions with great pride and he cheered enthusiastically at their countless basketball games. Doral also loved doing genealogy. He spent many happy hours researching their ancestors and going to the Temple. His church service was something that brought him joy throughout his life.

Besides his loving wife Marge, Doral is survived by three of his four daughters, Michelle (Darren) Peterson, Marlise (Wesley) Da Silva, and Nicole (Jeff) Smithanik of Calgary; two sons, Merrill (Julie) Paxman of Calgary, and Craig Paxman of Florida; as well as his much-beloved twenty-two grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, and twelve great-grandchildren. Doral was predeceased by his oldest daughter Cheryl (Mark) DeMeester of Boise, Idaho, for whom he never stopped mourning. We are sure their reunion in heaven has been a very joyful one!

Doral will be always missed for his devoted love for Marge, his loving support of all his family’s endeavors, his firm testimony of the Savior, Jesus Christ, and the lifesavers that were always in his pocket. His delight in the many wonders of life and in the people he loved will continue to be a treasured memory in our hearts.

Those wishing to pay their respects may do so at McInnis & Holloway (Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB) Friday, November 4, 2022, from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. Graveside Service to follow at Hartley Cemetery (Hartleyville, AB).

Funeral Service will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints (Bow Valley Chapel, 2526 24 Avenue NW, Calgary, AB), on Saturday, November 5, 2022, at 11:00 a.m.  Luncheon to follow in the Church Hall. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of Doral Paxman, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.