Isaac Andrew Blaxton was born February 25, 1991 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and passed away on September 17, 2023 at the age of 32 in Hermitage, Tennessee.
Isaac is survived by his parents, Gina and CDR (Ret) Allen Blaxton, his sister Cara Gill (James Gill) and niece Stella Gill, grandparents David & Patricia Powers, Betty & Marcos Costilla, Jr., and Mary Blaxton. He was preceded in death by his Poppy-Eldon Blaxton, Great Grandma Lucy Zabel, Great Geemaw Velma Allen, and his Aunt Karen Powers. He was so loved by his many aunts and uncles and cousins: Shaun and Cody Powers, Jason, Kim, Hannah, Hudson and Jennifer, Halee, and Hope Powers, Kevin and Molly Blaxton, Laura, Kody, Zayden, and Braddock Truebenbach, Christine, Kezli, Katelyn, and Kylie Cook, Michael, Cathy, Thad, and Shelby Costilla, and Sheena Harden. He was an incredible friend to so many more, virtually EVERYONE he ever met.
Isaac means “laughter”, and he brought that into our lives in endless supply! His smile and laugh captivated our hearts from the moment he was born. His favorite characters as a child were Winnie the Pooh and Barney. His thirst for knowledge was endless as he dug deeply into Egyptology, The Titanic, birds, bicycles, pirates, Naval Aviation, and many more subjects. In Monterey, CA he won the spelling bee during his first week – mid-year at a new middle school. He easily made friends everywhere the Navy sent our family. His smile and sense of humor lit up every room, and he lived up to his name daily.
He was talented in so many ways, and he especially loved music. At the age of three, Isaac picked up his Daddy’s trumpet and produced an amazing tone! He played from the 3rd grade through his senior year of high school, seeking every possible opportunity to play at church and in community bands. At the youngest possible age (14) he was a member of the Esperanza Drum Corps International, traveling the country and performing in the biggest stadiums. He also quickly developed his talents playing every brass instrument, and teaching himself bass, guitar, and drums. He was a natural leader, and the drum major his senior year at Coronado High School. When budget shortfalls threatened music education funding, he courageously and persuasively spoke to the school board about the necessity and value of arts education in schools.
During high school Isaac played water polo, and was in several drama productions, including the plays, “The Ice Wolf”, “Honk!” as the frog, and as Mr. Bumble in “Oliver!” He grew the most impressive muttonchops for the part as a junior in high school! He knocked it out of the park playing those roles and surprised everyone with his singing! He had an amazing voice!
Isaac graduated in 2009 from Coronado High School in Coronado, California, and went on to attend The University of Oklahoma. He studied botany, and fulfilled his goal of marching in THE PRIDE Marching Band. It was very special to see his joy the day he was selected for THE PRIDE, rushing out of his dorm room within minutes of his selection to be at the first rehearsal! He marched with THE PRIDE for four years playing the trumpet and mellophone, performing at OU, Dallas Cowboys Stadium, The Cotton Bowl, The Sugar Bowl, Notre Dame, and many other stadiums.
Isaac was an avid fan of Phish, Bon Iver, The Turnpike Troubadours, Billy Strings, EDM, and classical music. He wanted to share the joy this music brought him, buying tickets for mom and dad to see some of his favorite artists, even when he couldn’t be there himself. He used much of 2020 to develop EDM live sets and DJ mixes, live-streaming them weekly for his friends.
Isaac enjoyed making work fun for he and his coworkers. He worked at Scottish Treasures during high school, was a highly valued trainer and worker for Chuy’s locations in Norman, OK and Southlake, TX, and Blackbird Gastropub in Norman during college. He loved working with his Grandpa Marcos in Iraq as a logistics and project manager. Isaac moved to Nashville full-time in 2019. During 2020 he worked tirelessly as a census taker and contact tracer. He put his botany skills to work in 2021 for Priscilla’s Plants, meticulously caring for greenery in dozens of high profile locations in the Nashville area.
Above almost every other passion, Isaac loved cooking! He watched every episode of “Good Eats” with Alton Brown, and as with every other interest, he learned all he possibly could about food. Our family highlight during Covid was enjoying the new creations that Isaac put together every day for us to eat! He began working at The Nashville Jam Company as a server, and was ecstatic when he was moved to the kitchen. He rapidly established himself there, and was leading all kitchen efforts very soon after, to the delight of customers and his restaurant colleagues.
Our beloved son was filled with an insatiable appetite for adventure! He was very blessed to be able to travel the world: Spain, Iraq, Germany, Austria, Holland, Italy, Ireland, Mexico, Canada, Scotland, New Zealand and most recently to Greece with his family and KC for his sister’s wedding. He spent Thanksgiving in Vancouver with Cara, and flew his mom to Ireland and Vancouver to share his experiences. He shared his joy of life with many while he walked 800 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail! Our world traveler later bought a van, named her Jackie, and explored New Zealand living in that van! Oh, the sights he saw!
A memorial service for Isaac will be held at 2PM on Saturday, September 30th, 2023 at Spring Hill Memorial Funeral Home. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. There will be a livestream link available to watch if you can’t attend.
Isaac would love for you to donate to your local band program or a Youth in Arts program.
In Isaac’s own words “Travel like I would’ve. See the world, meet people. I love you all very much. I am sad to no longer be with you in person, but I am with you in spirit. Laughing all the way.”
KEEP EXPLORING!
