Desert Messenger

March 20, 2024 www.DesertMessenger.com 17 In Memoriam JEFFERY HAROLD SAXTON Jeffery Harold Saxton met his Sav- ior on Sunday morning, March 10, 2024. Born on August 14, 1960 in Starkville, MS, Jeff's life was char- acterized by his love for Christ and his heart for ministry. While touring with a ministry team for the Agape Conservatory for the Performing Arts, he met his future wife, Karen. Jeff and Karen were married on June 7, 1980, and were blessed with six children. Jeff and his family moved to Ring- gold, LA in 1993, where he served as the pastor of Kingsway Baptist Church for twenty-three years. Jeff became a well-known part of the Ringgold community. His clear and steadfast biblical perspective inspired confidence in others, drawing them to seek his counsel with trust and assur- ance. As the pastor of Kingsway, Jeff ministered to the staff at Southland Christian Camp by volunteering at the camp, as well as welcoming sea- sonal staff into his family's home. The Saxton home became a lively hub as church members, friends, and hundreds of Southland staff members were warmly welcomed and surrounded by music, laughter, and delicious food. In 2018, Jeff answered the call to serve as pastor at Quartzsite Southern Baptist Church in Quartzsite, AZ. With Jeff and Karen's warm hospitality, they embraced serving in their new church home. During his ministry in Quartzsite, Jeff led the church Larry was a big kid, the oldest 12 year old you would ever meet. He was the nicest guy you would want to know and the best neighbor you would want to have. Larry grew up in Trimble, Missouri. He was drafted into the US Army in 1960, and spent 3 years 2 months 13 days and 9.5 hours (but who's count- ing). He made the best of it, when he told stories of his time in service they were good ones and always had people smiling. Larry met Joyce in 1963 and was at the time working construction in the family business in Missouri and drag racing his 1954 Ford in his spare time. He attended electronics school at the Central Technical In- stitute and graduated in 1969. Larry had a God given talent and could fix any type of TV, and ran a series of successful TV repair busi- nesses in Kansas City. Larry and Judy married in 1983 and moved out west, then they moved to Quartzsite, AZ in 1988 and bought property in the 90's. Upon moving to Quartzsite, AZ he became a mem- ber of the Elks Lodge in Parker, AZ, The Chamber of Commerce in Quartzite, AZ and the Rotary Club as well as multiple other organiza- tions. Larry was always ready to do- nate his time and money to help out the locals. Volunteering during the winter months and still traveling during the summer months. During the summer, Larry and Judy would tour the United States in their Fleet- wood Prowler RV and enjoy time in the cooler climates. Craig and Rae joined them on several RV trips throughout the Western US. They traveled through the Red- woods, the Oregon Coast and Alaska to name a few. Larry told Rae that if he survived his heart bypass surgery he would visit her in Puerto Rico. He held true to his word and got on a plane and went to Puerto Rico for a week. He would also puppy-sit his granddog Sunny when Craig and Rae were away from home. Larry and Judy moved out to La Paz Valley in early 2000 and he built their home, known to locals as Judy's Party Palace. It was legend- ary for many years because of its lavish and extravagant themed par- ties. If Judy could think of it, Larry would make it happen. Christmas / Thanksgiving, Italian party, Cuban party, Margaritaville party, in detail, he would always make it happen for Judy. In the early 2000's Larry and Judy spent a lot of time in Marys- vale UT riding the quads with Dave and Tish and enjoying the serenity and beauty for many summers. Judy passed in 2017 and was greatly missed especially by her beloved Larry. For the last several years Larry could be found in the back room or behind the counter at Discount So- lar on a regular basis. He made sure the coffee and donuts were fresh. Larry loved food and especially enjoyed going to Sizzler. He would sample everything on the salad bar except Cottage Cheese! Of course he would finish the meal off with sev- eral ice cream cones. Some of Craig's fondest memories are of him helping put the Discount Solar building up and using the tractor to unload deliveries. The many adventures as a child grow- ing up and the many times walking through the back room and seeing "Pop" sitting in the back of the shop "keeping an eye on things" waiting to get his back scratched. The endless stories and jokes that kept smiles on everyone's face and everyone laughing. Larry aka Poppa was and will always be in our hearts. The Shackelford family invites you to join them in celebrating Larry's life on Saturday, March 30, 2024, 10am in the shop at Discount Solar, 540 E. Main. St. Quartzsite, AZ 85359. to initiate community events and share the gospel with both full- time and seasonal residents. As the Saxtons immersed them- selves in the community, Jeff felt a pressing concern for the lack of quality education options in Quartzsite. Motivated by a desire to provide top-notch, Christ-cen- tered education tailored to each student's needs, Quartzsite South- ern Christian Academy was found- ed in 2022 and is currently in its second academic year. 2 Samuel 12 recounts how, follow- ing the loss of his son, King David sought solace in the house of the Lord, affirming, "I shall go to him." While we mourn the passing of Jeff in this life, we rejoice in the assur- ance of an eternal reunion. Jeff is survived by Karen, his lov- ing wife of forty-three years; par- ents, Joe W. and Kathy Saxton; brothers, Joe W. Saxton Jr. and his wife, Karen, and Mitch Saxton and partner Lisa; sisters, Sonya Saxton and Tamora Saxton Pope and her husband, Burt; and by his children and their families: Liz and Anthony Griffith and children Ben, Gabby, Lilly, Olivia, Judah, and Ezra; Han- nah and Aaron Straight and chil- dren Connor, Maggie, and Jaxon; Sam and Gina Saxton and children Aerowynne, Bella, Skyler, Gianna, Aria, and Cosette; Abby and Mi- chael Dabbs and children Gabe, Hailey, and Raelynn; Isaac and Jes- sica Saxton and children Duncan, Everett, and baby; and Lydia Sax- ton and son Alexander, as well as a host of extended family. A memorial service was held at Quartzsite Southern Baptist Church in Quartzsite, AZ on Saturday, March 16, 2024 at 1:00 in the after- noon. The funeral service will be held at Southland Christian Camp in Ringgold, LA on Saturday, March 23, 2024 at 10:00 in the morning. Interment will follow at Springhill Church Cemetery, Ringgold, LA. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 16

• Cover