A COUPLE whose budding courtship was interrupted by national service have this week marked 60 years of marriage.
Deputy Lieutenant Clare Gallagher DL and Provost Ian McAllan visited Jim and Jean Paxton at their home in East Kilbride on 13th February to congratulate them on their Diamond Wedding anniversary, and hear their fascinating story first hand.
Jean was friends with Jim’s younger sister and the pair first met at the Paxton family home in Glasgow’s Gallowgate in 1957 when Jean spent New Year there. However, before sparks could fly Jim, who was in the RAF, was posted to Germany for two years.
On his return, and on meeting up again, Jean took a little time to warm up to her pal’s brother again, but soon started dating, and wasted no time in making it official, marrying on March 20 1960 in St Thomas’ Church in the Gallowgate.
They set up home in Cubie Street, but moved quickly to Dalmarnock Road where son James was born in 1961. Following the arrival of daughter Kim in 1962, the Paxtons made the move to East Kilbride, where they live to this day.
Both Jim and Jean worked throughout married and family life, Jean initially as a spooler in Templeton’s carpet factory, the first of many such jobs, retiring eventually from Lerose Ladies Fashion to help look after her grandchildren.
Jim worked in Singer’s machinery factory in Clydebank before landing the job in Magico paint factory, which took the family to East Kilbride. From there his career led him to the building trade, working his way up to ‘ganger’ or foreman.
An active couple in retirement, Jean enjoys bingo, trying her luck a few times a week. Jim plays bowls at the Murray Bowling Club, where he has been Vice President once and President three times. But their happiest times are spent with the new generations of their family as four grandchildren, and three great – grandchildren with another two on the way this year.
Said Provost McAllan: “The 1960s was a boom time for so many newly-married young couples looking to better their lives and opportunities and for many Glaswegians East Kilbride provided that and more. It’s heart-warming to hear the story of Jim and Jean’s life from national service to new town, careers and busy lives; but most of all family and how much they mean to them.
“Deputy Lieutenant Gallagher and I are privileged as always to be invited to take part in such a special moment for the Paxton family, and we enjoyed every minute of our visit “
