Obituary of Donald L. Saxton

Donald LeRoy Saxton, "Sax", 91, formerly of Bemus Point, died peacefully on May 28, 2016 in Heritage Green Rehab and Skilled Nursing in Greenhurst. He was born July 14, 1924, the only child of Harry R. Saxton and Dorothea Sampson Saxton. Mr. Saxton graduated from Bemus Point High School in 1942. He tried to enlist in the United States Air Force but was rejected because of being colorblind and having kidney problems. Instead he was accepted to Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana where he graduated with honors in 1948 with degrees in bacteriology and genetics. His mentors at Purdue were so impressed with his thesis in genetics that they offered him a fellowship to stay after graduation. The FBI also courted him because of his comprehensive work on anthrax. After much deliberation he chose to return to Bemus Point and enter the family business of mink farming, started by his father in the backyard of his childhood home in Jamestown. The ranch was moved to Bemus Point in 1937. His love of genetics created vivid and rich colors in the mink he bred for coats and jackets that were in high demand in the 1950's through the 1970's. He was a member of Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity, serving as President for a year at Purdue. He also was President of the Bemus Point Alumni Association for a few years. Mr. Saxton thoroughly enjoyed fishing, hunting and bowling. In the past few months Mr. Saxton verbalized that he had done everything he wanted to in his life and was at peace. The family will miss his outgoing personality, sharp mind, incredible knowledge of nature and animals, interest in life - especially history and science - and his gift of telling stories; some real and some very creative fiction. He will forever be in our hearts. He is survived by the love of his life for 64 years, Mildred (Mid) Thompson Saxton of Tanglewood Manor in Jamestown, his daughter Nancy Saxton-Lopez of Ridgewood New Jersey; his son David (Cindy) Saxton of Bemus Point and four grandchildren, Sierra of Bemus Point, Christopher of Stowe, Aaron of Brooklyn and Bemus Point and Elisa of Ridgewood. A private celebration of his life will be held in July. The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Bemus Point Fire Department. You may leave words of condolence at www.lindfuneralhome.com.