//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/01c/135918/135918-00.jpg

Life Story / Obituary


Print

Donald Leroy Saxton, age 95, of Grawn, passed away peacefully on Wednesday May 19, 2021. Don was born January 30, 1926 to Lee and Gladys (Soper) Saxton.

Don was a quiet, gentle man and loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

He lived a rich and full life marked by abundant service to others. He was always willing

to lend a helping hand to those in need. Many friends and family have benefited from

his work on a car repairs, telephone issues or house project.

In World War II he served his Country as a radio operator in the United States Army Air Corp stationed in Guam.

He was married in Monroe Center MI to Mavis Youker on June 26, 1948. Together they had five children, Francis “Frank”, Patrick “Pat”, Carol, Adreah and Kenneth “Ken Bob”.

Don served faithfully as a member of the Grawn Fire Department known as Red-5, for 25 years and was Fire Chief for two of those years. He was a well-known member of the Grawn community for more than 70 years. He was the favored umpire for Grawn baseball games as he was fair and impartial while booking no arguments. He even held donkey basketball games on his property.

He retired from Michigan Bell, which later became AT&T after working 40 years.

He married Florence Korb on March 22, 1986, adding to his family, Aron Korb, Eleanor Randall, Phyllis Randall, David Korb, John Korb, Charles Korb, Julie MacLeod and Jannell Korb. Together they blended family totaling 13 children and with several grand and great grandchildren.

He loved his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and served his church for many years. Don sang in the church choir and was an active member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church for 35 years. Along with Flo they spent many hours, days and weeks helping to build the Traverse City church on the corner of Four Mile Road and Hammond. He and Flo traveled the country for many years in their motor home meeting new friends, while visiting and helping family and working on other church projects along the way.

Don is survived by his loving wife, Florence; his brother, David; his children, Frank (Pamela Norblom) Saxton, Patrick Saxton, Carol (Robert) Gauthier, Adreah (Rodney) Leffew, Ken (Cathy) Saxton, Aron Korb, Eleanor (Kenneth) Randall, Phyllis (Robert) Randall, John (Derinda) Korb, Julie (Eric) MacLeod, and Jannell Korb. There are also many extended family members, grandchildren and great-grandchildren

Don was preceded in death by his first wife of 37 years Mavis; his parents, Lee and Gladys, his sisters, Irene Saxton, Laura Lee Harding, David Korb and Charles Korb.

Memorial Services will be held 11 am, Sunday, July 25, 2021 at the Traverse City Seventh Day Adventist Church; where a military honors service will follow. The family will greet friends starting at 10 am.

Please visit www.lifestorytc.com to share your thoughts and more.