Dell (Ted) Edward Saxton Obituary (1921 - 2011)

Dell Edward (Ted) Saxton was born on August 21, 1921 in Pocatello, Bannock County, Idaho and passed away on June 16, 2011 in the Intermountain Health Care Hospital in Salt Lake City. He was the eldest of our children born to Newcomb Henry and Anna Madsen Saxton. He grew up in Rigby, Idaho where he graduated from Rigby High School. He was always proud to be called a Rigby Farm Boy. Being patriotic in nature, Dell (Ted), joined the U.S. Navy where he served our country during World War II from June 23, 1942 to February 6, 1946. He served aboard the USS Tangier, a seaplane tender. During his time in the Navy he crossed the Pacific Ocean five times. During one of his tours he was on board the USS Tangier for nine months without setting foot on land. He served in the South Pacific from Hawaii, Australia, Fiji, American Samoa, Admiralty Islands, New Guinea, New Hebrides Islands, Solomon Islands and the Philippine Islands. He developed a great love for the Philippine people. He participated in the Battle of Coral Sea and the Battle of Leyte Gulf. Within one month after his release from military service Dell (Ted) was called to the East Central States Mission for the LDS Church where he served form April 15, 1946 to April 22, 1948. This included the states of Kentucky, West Virginia and Tennessee. He served as an assistant to the Mission President and helped build the Altamont Tennessee Chapel. He was called to serve a Church Service Mission in the Priesthood Division of the LDS Church Office Building in Salt Lake City from September 10, 1998 until December 16, 1999. Dell (Ted) completed his education and graduated from Weber State College, Ogden, Utah in 1975. Dell (Ted) married the love of his life, soul mate, and childhood sweetheart Emily DeVona Jones in the Idaho Falls Temple on July 28, 1950. Dell (Ted) was employed by the U.S. Department of Defense, Hill Air Force Base, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and Clearfield Job Corps. He faithfully served in eight bishoprics, Ward Young Men’s President, Stake Sunday School Counselor and President, Stake Auditor, Murray High Priests Group Presidency, and as Bishop of the Millcreek 2nd Ward. He is survived by his faithful and loving wife, DeVona, daughter Kathy DeAnn, brother Lynn Calvin Saxton (Pat), sister Shirla Zoe Rolfe (Rex) and 10 nieces and nephews. His parents and a sister Anna Jean preceded him in death. The family would like to give special thanks to Dr. Lisa Kuwahara, Wasatch Dialysis, Dr. Richard Lambert, Dr. Jeffery Osborne, and IMC Hospice for their loving care. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, June 22, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary located at 4700 South State Street, Murray, Utah. A viewing will be held Tuesday, June 21, 2011 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary and the day of the service from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. Services will be under the direction of Bishop Keith Larson of the Murray 3rd Ward. Interment will be in the Washington Heights Memorial Cemetery in Ogden, Utah following the services.