Troxel, Dr. John F.

Dr. John F. Troxel, 89, died at home July 6, 2012, of Myelofibrosis and complications of old age. He wrote this obituary as he approached the end of his life.

Born in Anchorage, Alaska, on May 6, 1923, to Albert Roy and Alice Trekell Troxel, he moved in 1932 to a farm in western Missouri, where he learned the concept of hard work and frugality. He graduated from Faucett High School, William Jewel College, and Johns Hopkins Medical School. After two years of post-medical school training, he was a captain in the UASF for two years. After discharge from the Air Force, John practiced medicine in Cedar Rapids, Iowa until retirement in 1985. He was on the medical staff of Mercy and St. Luke's hospitals and a member of the AMA, Linn County Medical Society, Iowa State Medical Society and AAGP.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his twin brother, Dr. James Troxel; brother, Dr. George Troxel; and sister, Mary Troxel Hogan.

He is survived by his loving wife, Donna; sons, Richard (Susan) Troxel and Robert (LeAnne) Troxel; and daughters, Martha and Mary Troxel. Also surviving are stepchildren, William (Marty) Moran, Deborah (Tim) Shafar and Katie (Steve) Oberbroeckling. He is also survived by six grandchildren, eight stepgrandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

John loved hunting, fishing, rehabbing old homes, and traveling with Donna in their RV. John was a member of Echo Hill Presbyterian Church, where he received much comfort from members and Pastor William Warhover.

He wanted to close with the opening lines of a poem by Alfred Lord Tennyson which he learned in high school titled Crossing the Bar. Donna has included the entire poem.

Sunset and evening star,

And one clear call for me!

And may there be no

moaning of the bar,

When I put out to sea,

But such a tide as moving seems asleep,

Too full for sound and foam,

When that which drew from out boundless deep

Turns again home.

Twilight and evening bell,

And after that the dark!

And may there be no sadness of farewell,

When I embark;

For tho' from out our bourne of Time and Place

The flood may bear me far,

I hope to see my Pilot

face to face

When I have crossed the bar.

John and his family want to thank physicians Dr. Richard Pope and Dr. Chirantan Ghosh, Mercy Hospice, and the Outpatient Treatment Center for their wonderful care during his long battle with illness. We also thank the many friends and church members for all their visits, cards, thoughts and prayers.

John requested no memorial service. Memorial donations may be sent to the Echo Hill Presbyterian Church Building Fund at: PO Box 11335, Cedar Rapids, IA 52410. Inurnment will be in the columbarium at Valley Presbyterian Church, Green Valley, Ariz. Arrangements by Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Marion.

Please sign the online guest book for John at www.murdochfuneralhome.come under obituaries.

Published July 7, 2012 in The Gazette