| Graduation Year | Class of 1982 |
| Date of Passing | May 08, 2016 |
| About | Michael R. Saxton passed away Sunday May 8, 2016 surrounded by his wife and children. He was born January 25, 1964 in Greenville, MS, the son of Ralph E. Saxton and Hannelore D. Saxton. Mike proudly attended and graduated from Eisenhower High School in 1982. While attending IKE he loved playing football and riding around in his jeep, making lifelong memories with friends. He was Eisenhower Cadet of the Year in 1981. He began taking college courses at WSU before ultimately starting his own trucking business, following in his father's footsteps. Mike married the love of his life, his wife Jill, in Lyman, WA on November 24, 1984. They raised four beautiful children, Amanda, Megan, Kaycie, and Kody. They also have four spunky (thanks Opa) grandchildren, Jaiden, Jorden, Claire, and Jaxsen. Mike's death was not completely unexpected as he had been diagnosed with cancer in October of 2014 and given a terminal diagnosis in November of 2015. Although we knew he did not have as much time left as he would have wanted, he spent it doing the things he loved with those he loved the most. Mike enjoyed riding motorcycles and has a beautiful collection to choose from. Riding with his brothers or his wife, he always had a good time. He enjoyed spending time outdoors, whether it was cutting firewood, camping, hiking, rock hunting, or fishing. He also loved watching and coaching his children as they grew in sports and life, and later watching his grandchildren do the same. He most enjoyed spending time with his wife and kids, taking great pride in them and their accomplishments and was proud to share them with others. Mike loved his dogs, man's best friend, over the years they all left a paw print on his heart. We all know Mike listened to music all the time, the louder the better, and to share it with everyone around him. You never knew what he'd be playing as he loved it all. Mike loved to tinker and wander around the house picking up and fixing things along the way. He lived life by his own rules and could not be slowed down. On the Monday prior to his passing, he was with his son working on one of their trucks and having a typical day. Mike suffered a fall later that night that ultimately took his condition from bad to worse very quickly. He was taken to the hospital Wednesday evening in the hopes of a quick recovery from minor injuries suffered from the fall. Things quickly progressed and Friday evening was spent smiling and laughing with his wife, children, and grandchildren. He was hugging and kissing each one of them over and over. Mike was a man who had no limits, to try to put into words all that he has accomplished in his life would be an impossible feat. He touched the lives of so many people and he took great pride in everything he did. Mike was always willing to help others out, rain or shine. To highlight something his family believes he was most proud of, he dedicated years to serving in many different ways to youth sports. His work with Yakima National Little League, Yakima Valley Grid Kids, and La Salle High School Football will be cherished. He also made it his personal mission to give back to Eisenhower High School by undertaking an enormous project to recover the aging Zaepful Stadium bleachers. Mike was proceeded in death by his father, Ralph E. Saxton. He is survived by his mother, Hannelore D. Saxton; his wife, Jill Saxton; his children, Amanda (Josh) Washington, Megan (Albert) Saxton, Kaycie, and Kody; his grandchildren Jaiden, Jorden, Claire, and Jaxsen; his sister and brother, Ilona (Mike) MacDonald and Tim (Sheril) Saxton; as well as numerous nieces, a nephew, and cousins. A funeral service will be held in Mike's honor on Saturday May 14, 2016 at 10:30am at Cascade Garden, 5704 W Washington Ave, Yakima WA. The internment will be private. |
