Charles "Chuck" Sidney Claxton

Dr. Charles ‘Chuck’ Sidney Claxton passed away on March 6, 2026 in Asheville, North Carolina. His son Alex was by his side. Born in Swainsboro, Georgia in 1942, Chuck was the son of James Newman Claxton Sr. and Alice Gretell Riner Claxton. He was predeceased by siblings Norma, Wilma, and James. He is survived by his wife, Rebekah Smith and their two sons, Alex Claxton (Katie) of Asheville, North Carolina and Anthony Coffey (Julie) of Hastings-on-Hudson, New York. In addition to scores of nieces, nephews, and cousins, Chuck is also survived by his grandchildren Clementine Claxton and Cara and Jack Coffey, as well as two brothers, Verlyn Claxton (Lynn) of Mooresville, North Carolina, and Bob Claxton (Nancy) of Shellman Bluff, Georgia.

Known to his family as ‘Charlie’ in his early years, Chuck grew up in Savannah, Georgia. Upon graduating from Savannah High School, he served four years in the U.S. Air Force. He went on to earn a B.A. in Political Science from UNC Chapel Hill, an M.A. in Counseling from West Georgia College, and a Ph.D. in Education from Florida State University.

Chuck spent the early part of his career as a professor of Higher Education at the University of Memphis. The remainder of his career was spent at Appalachian State University, where he co-founded and directed the Leadership in Judicial Education program. During his time at ASU, he also spent ten summers on the faculty of the Institute for the Management of Lifelong Learning at Harvard University.

Chuck was a passionate educator, scholar, and advocate. While his early published work focused on effective college teaching, student learning styles, and organizational change, he later expanded his focus to help students and colleagues better understand the realities of systemic inequality and the subtle but powerful influence of implicit bias. Chuck’s life’s work thus centered on uplifting the voices and experiences of those too often overlooked – particularly disenfranchised, marginalized communities and people of color. His scholarship and teaching challenged individuals and institutions alike to examine their assumptions, confront injustice, and work toward a more equitable society. 

Through his research, classroom instruction, and community engagement, Chuck helped illuminate how implicit bias shapes decision-making in education, criminal justice, and everyday interactions. He was deeply committed to fostering thoughtful dialogue and meaningful change, empowering his students not only to learn, but to lead with empathy, awareness, and courage. In this way, Chuck’s legacy lives on in the countless lives he influenced and in the ongoing pursuit of fairness, dignity, and opportunity for all people.

Chuck’s academic career was distinguished in countless ways, but his family and friends will remember him for more than just his gifted intellect. Chuck embodied a life lived in service to others, and to have known this remarkable man was to have loved him deeply. From his early years as a boy bagging groceries at the neighborhood supermarket to his last days reading aloud to his granddaughter, Chuck lived a life marked by kindness, integrity, and empathy toward all those he encountered. 

A private family service has been planned. Those wishing to honor his life may do so through the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.

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