The Official Athletic Website of Grand Rapids Community College

Gene H. Paxton guided GRJC teams to 517 victories over 25 seasons, winning five league championships — all without being able to offer students scholarships to play. He started coaching in 1965 and retired in 1990 as the winningest coach in school history with a 517-280 record. In 2018 he became a member of the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan Hall of Fame. 

Articles on him being inducted into the Hall of Fame:

https://thecollegiatelive.com/2018/06/gene-paxton-inducted-grand-rapids-sports-hall-fame/

https://fox17online.com/2018/09/25/2018-grand-rapids-sports-hall-of-fame-inductees-grateful-for-the-community/

https://grccraiderbuzz.wordpress.com/2018/09/26/grjc-basketball-coach-gene-paxton-inducted-in-grand-rapids-sports-hall-of-fame/

Paxton's first year (1965-66) his team finished with a 12-9 record, and a tie for fourth place in a tough 13 team league. During that season, the team won 7 of their last 9 games and averaged 101.2 points per game for the entire season. 

He joined the staff after a successful eight year tenure at Airport Community High School in Carleton, Michigan.  In high school coaching, Paxton had only one season when a team lost over six games.  His teams were noted for their potent offenses and multiple pressure defenses.

After attending Lincoln Community High School in Lincoln, Illinois and graduating in 1949, Paxton enlisted in the Marines.  During his three years and three months of service he earned the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and other decorations for his eleven months of combat in Korea.  After his military service, he attended Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, and earned his Bachelor's and Master's degrees there.

He was 34 when he started coaching at JC and at that time was married to Mary Alice and had two sons, Chris and Tim, and a daughter, Amy.