Dwayne Axworthy

Dwayne Axworthy (Ax) was born December 30, 1927 To William George and Florence Elizabeth (Peters) Axworthy in Santa Ana California. He died peacefully at home surrounded by his loved ones on April 28, 2018. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Redlands, a Master of Divinity degree from Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary and Doctor of Ministry from Fuller Theological Seminary. He met his wife, Betty Jean DeRemo, while they both were attending Eastern Seminary. They were married September 25, 1954, following his call to the Berean Baptist Church of Reading, Pennsylvania. Daughter Karen was born there. In 1956 he became a founding minister of the Emmanual Baptist Church in Livonia, Michigan. It was in Detroit that Jan and Laura were born. The family moved to Richmond, California in 1963 where he served as Associate Pastor at First Baptist Church. There Bob was born. The family came to Casper in 1970 where he served First Baptist Church both as Associate Pastor and later as Senior Pastor until his retirement. He then ministered at Community Baptist Church in Glenrock, Wyoming for three years before retiring again. He was elected to numerous offices in the Pennsylvania Baptist Convention, the Detroit Association of American Baptist Churches, American Baptist Churches of the West, and the American Baptist Churches of the Rocky Mountains. In addition, he was active in Casper Clergy, Noon Lions Club and a founding member of Hospice, Interfaith and Chairman for Camp Wyoba's Board. He was a volunteer chaplain for both the Civil Air Patrol and the Wyoming Medical Center. Active in the camping program of the various regions he served he led many back pack trips in the California and Wyoming Wilderness areas. He published numerous short stories and articles and did curriculum writing for the American Baptist Churches, USA. Besides writing, other avocations included reading, traveling with his wife, woodworking and model railroading. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Willard, Glenn and Roger. He is survived by his wife, daughters Karen Zook Ray and husband Tim, Jan Smith and husband Dewey, Laura Waxler and husband Gary, son Bob and wife Shawn. His beloved grandchildren are Kristen Zook, Nate Zook and Brandon (Bailey) Zook, Jeremy (Lisa) Smith, Emily (Reed) Rudkin, Zach Waxler, Molly and Libby Axworthy. Well loved great grandchildren are Logan and Shelbie Zook, Jake and Shauna Smith, and he was eagerly anticipating the arrival of Finlee Lavon Rudkin. He is also survived by various nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to First Christian Church, Casper, Wyoming, Interfaith, Central Wyoming Rescue Mission or a charity of one's choice. Ax requested there be no funeral, and that everyone who loved him show a little extra kindness in his honor. The family will have a private celebration of his life at a later date.