JAMES RICHARD BIXBY

ALBION – James Richard Bixby, 60, passed away unexpectedly Wed-nesday, Dec. 1, 2004, at Maine General Medical Center, Augusta Campus. He was born March 2, 1944, in Lewiston, a son of Chester Colcord and Hildred Courtney (Akerley) Bixby. He was a graduate of Edward Little High School, Class of 1962. He graduated from Burdette College in Boston, Class of 1964. In the mid 1960’s, he served in the Air National Guard and was honorably discharged. On April 20, 1968, he married the former Ann F. Foster, and together shared 36 years. In his early years he assisted his father on the Cain’s Mayonnaise truck. He worked for Vern Parker of King Cole until he was offered a franchise in Rumford, which was later bought by Bachman, where he became the State of Maine Sales Manager. Most recently, he was employed by Pepperidge Farm, Inc., and served as area sales manager for the Augusta North Region. He was awarded Vendor of the Year in 2003 for the Maine Grocers. He also served as Treasurer of the Maine Grocers’ Board. He was a member of the United Baptist Church of Oakland where he served as a Sunday High School teacher for several years, was a Deacon, narrated the Easter, and Christmas cantatas at the church and served as lay minister. In his early years, he was a member of the Mount Zircon of the Eastern Star Chapter 142 in Rumford, and was a member of the Tranquil Masonic Lodge No. 29, in Auburn. He was a past member of the Order of the Demolay. He was a volunteer fireman for the Albion Fire Department, and was the organizer of the Firemen’s Field Day Barbeque with his family. He served as past selectman for the Town of Albion, served as chairperson overseeing the poor and accessor, and served on the Elderly Housing Program in Albion. He was currently a member of the Central Masonic Lodge No. 45 in China where he has served as secretary since 1995, and also served as Past Master at the Lodge. He was also a member of the Royal Arch, Blue Chapter, the Scottish Rites of Valley of Portland and Androscoggin. He was a past member of the Albion Lions Club. He was predeceased by his mother Hildred Bixby. He is survived by his beloved wife, Ann Bixby of Albion; his children, Lauri Bixby of Albion and her boyfriend, Andrew Curtis, of Auburn, Scott Bixby and his wife, April, of Canaan, and Bethany Bixby of Albion; his father, Chester Bixby of Auburn; two sisters, Lorna Hansen and her husband, Rob, of Auburn, and Carol Daniels and her husband, Bob, of Hammonton, N.J.; a brother, Chester Bixby and his wife, Sandy, of Auburn; two grandchildren, Kurtis Bixby of Albion, and Taylor Bixby of Canaan; a sister-in-law, Joyce Leonard and her husband, Ronald, of Mapleton; a brother- in-law, Bryce Rummery of Cape Elizabeth; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Visiting hours will be held 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, at Lawry Brothers Funeral Home, 107 Main St., Fairfield. A funeral service will be held on Sunday, Dec. 5, at 2 p.m. at United Baptist Church of Oakland, Church St., Oakland, with the Rev. Andrew Kane Officiating. Burial will follow at Maplegrove Cemetery in Albion. Donations in his memory may be made to the United Baptist Church of Oakland, care of Julia Brown, P.O. Box 145, Oakland, ME 04963. Condolences may be expressed at: www.lawrybrothers.com.