Big John Laxen passed away this week, much too early. When he came to Rice he was almost still a boy. He worked here for 36 years and became head of the Electrician’s Shop in 2007. He knew this campus like the back of his hand and he was kind, generous and funny. He helped me whenever he could and every single time I saw him I was glad of it.
I have better pictures of him but this one is my favorite. He’s the big guy in white coveralls, the one with his head thrown back in laughter:
John Laxen, RIP.