Donald Saxton

DONALD SAXTON

Oxford

Donald H. "Don" Saxton, 75, lifelong resident and former mayor of Oxford, died Saturday, Dec. 20, 2014, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics following a sudden illness. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 27, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Oxford, where visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday with a Knights of Columbus rosary at 4 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Don's memory to Oxford First Responders or Systems Unlimited in Iowa City.

Online condolences may be sent for his family through the Web at www.gayandciha.com.

Don was born July 7, 1939, in Iowa City, Iowa, the son of Howard and Helen (Jenn) Saxton. Following graduation from Oxford High School in 1957, he attended Loras College for two years then transferred to the University of Iowa. There he earned his bachelor's in business administration and his master's in business and secondary education in 1962. He began his lifelong career in teaching at Central Junior High School in Iowa City and City High School. After three years in both of these schools, he transferred to the new West High School in 1968 where he taught for the next 31 years, retiring in 1999. Don not only taught, he was there to support the students in all sorts of extracurricular activities, many nights and weekends. For many West High graduates and teachers, Don Saxton was synonymous with West High!

Don was also known as Mr. Oxford, as he served on the city council for nearly 45 years, the past 38 of these as mayor, just recently retiring last year. He was a man who believed in giving back, not only in city government, but in his church, St. Mary's Catholic Church of Oxford, where he has done everything from sweeping the floors, singing in the choir to serving on its church council and so much more. He was active in the Knights of Columbus, again not on the sidelines, but the all or nothing attitude of serving locally, regionally and on the state levels. Don also served on numerous boards and commissions on the county level and was still a member of the Atrium Village board in Hills. He had a passion for collecting antique cars and tractors, specifically International Harvesters, Chevys, Oldsmobiles and Buicks; he did not care much for the Fords or John Deeres out there!

His family includes two siblings, his sister, Jean Saxton of Iowa City; and brother, Robert and his wife, Marianne Saxton, of West Des Moines.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Helen Saxton.

Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service is caring for Don's family and his services.