Robert Earl Saxton

Robert Earl Saxton passed away peacefully on February 8, 2018 at Twin Oaks Personal Care Home. Earl, as family and friends affectionately called him, was born May 2, 1926 on the Saxton Family Farm on the Porter Road (Troy Township, PA) to Willis and Aline (Leonard) Saxton. Throughout his youth he worked on his family farm alongside his father and brothers, learning from them at a very early age the value of a hard day’s work. Known as the “Tyrone Power” of  Troy High School, Earl was a 1944 graduate where he played on the basketball team for three years, often walking home from practice in sub-zero temperatures just to be able to enjoy a game he loved. He was a member of the Troy squad that won the 1944 Roosevelt Trail League championship. After high school he served honorably in the United States Army as a Field Lineman from 1946 to 1948. On June 11, 1949 he married his high school sweetheart, Janice Monro, and together they moved to their family farm, just up the Porter Road from where he was born, and raised three daughters, Sandra (David) Clink of Columbia Cross Roads, PA,  Sharon (Gregory) Jones of Clermont, Fl and Mansfield, PA, and Susan (Thomas) Evans of Litchfield, NH.

While raising his family and working on his farm, he was an Agway Committee Man; member and officer of the Troy Grange No. 182; member of the Pomona Grange; and bowled in various Bowling Leagues--eventually being inducted into the Troy Bowling Association Hall of Fame. Earl and Janice were avid square dancers before and after retirement as members of the Grand Paraders Square Dance Club. In retirement the couple enjoyed traveling, venturing as far away as Alaska, Hawaii, and Australia. Earl also took up the game golf in retirement, playing well into his eighties.

Earl was the proud Grandfather of Stephanie (George) Welch, Jr., Robert (Brenda) Clink, Laurel (Benjamin) Olney, Kirby Jones, Sarah Evans, and Jennifer Evans. He was a Great-Grandfather to George John Welch III, Andrew Welch, Caroline Welch, Graidy Olney, Fianna Olney, Elara Olney, and Sofia Clink. Earl is also survived by his sister-in-law, Doris Saxton, as well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Earl was predeceased by his parents; brothers Arthur and Charles Saxton; sisters Elorena Sims and Mary Louise Sartell; and, in July of 2016, his loving wife of 67 years, Janice M. Saxton.

Family and friends are invited to call from 10 AM to 11:30 AM on Friday, February 16, 2018 at the Gerald W. Vickery, Jr.  Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc. 1093 West Main Street, Troy PA 16947. Earl’s funeral and committal service will follow at 11:30 AM with Reverend Garry Zuber of the First Baptist Church of Troy Officiating. The Troy Veteran’s Honor Squad will accord him military honors. Interment will be when weather permits in Glenwood Cemetery, Troy, PA.

In lieu of flowers, kindly consider memorials to Twin Oaks Personal Care Home Activities Fund, 100 Cowley Road, Granville Summit, PA, 16926, or to the Guthrie Hospice, 421 Tomahawk Road, Towanda, PA 18848.

Online condolences can be posted at Vickeryfh.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Robert Earl Saxton, please visit our floral store.