Thomas Alexander Saxton, 74

BETHANY BEACH - Thomas Alexander Saxton of Bethany Beach passed away Sunday, Aug. 26, 2007, in Beebe Medical Center, Lewes. He was 74.

Mr. Saxton was born Dec. 12, 1932, in Hartshorne, Okla., son of the late Ralph Merle and Mildred Isabel (Breckenridge) Saxton.

After serving in the U.S. Army, Mr. Saxton went to work with the National Security Agency, retiring in 1979 after 23 years of service.

He and his wife, Ruth, moved to the Delaware area from Ellicott City, Md., in 2000.

Mr. Saxton was a member of the Lutheran Church Of Our Saviour, Rehoboth Beach, where he served on many church committees over the years.

He was a member of the Whirl-A-Ways Square Dancing Club and enjoyed bowling with Club 55.

He also volunteered at ACTS in Ocean View.

Mr. Saxton enjoyed being a handyman for many people and could often be found working in his yard and gardens.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Rochelle Rambert, in 2007.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Ruth Eleanor Saxton; son, Ron Saxton and his wife Denise of Ellicott City, Md.; two daughters, Barb Saxton of Gaithersburg, Md., and Deborah Morgan and her husband Peter of Bowie, Md.; six grandchildren, Shawn Morgan, Jenifer Cochran, Colin Morgan, Chris Saxton, Marc Saxton and Kory Saxton; one great-granddaughter, Brittany Cochran; and two sisters, Marianna Freeman of Mesa, Ariz., and Margaret Martin of Bremerton, Wash.

A memorial service will be noon Thursday in the Lutheran Church of Our Savior, Del. 1 and Bay Vista Road, Rehoboth Beach, with Pastor Donald Schaefer officiating.

Burial will be at a later date.

Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Lewes.

Instead of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Lutheran Church of Our Savior, 7 Bay Vista Road, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971.