M SGT

Master Sergeant (Retired) Joseph Benjamin Saxon, United States Army Special Forces, of Tupelo, Mississippi, passed away June 23, 2016 in the loving care of members of the Mississippi State Veterans Home-Oxford and Camellia Hospice. Mr. Saxon was born February 5, 1928 to the Rev. Dr. John D. and Sara C. Saxon, in Memphis, TN. He was a career soldier, serving our country in both the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Army from 1945 to 1967.

Mr. Saxon came from a large and loving family and was the brother of Anna Lloyd Wendell, John Wesley Saxon (deceased), Mary Lee (Burton-deceased) Fielder, Dr. Esther Saxon, Dr. Ruth Saxon (deceased), Elisabeth Saxon, Dr. Rebecca (Jerry) Lyon, Samuel (Faye) Saxon (both deceased), Daniel (Molly) Saxon, Paul (Patsy) Saxon, and Dr. Stephen (Brenda) Saxon.  He was “Uncle Joe” to Robert (Maria Rosa) Wendell, William (Shirley) Wendell, John David (Ananka) Wendell, Ruth (Gary) Metheny, Cindy (Robert) Rudolph, Susan (Terry) Wills, Dr. Janice (Durk) Lee, Dr. Deborah Lyon, Dr. Patricia (Hector-deceased) Mokhtarian, Sharon Cardman, Charlene (Rev. Matthew) Haggard, Dr. Marian (Dr. Nelson) Rhodes, John (Patty) Saxon, Joseph (Connie) Saxon, Regina (Bruce) Zeiser, and Benjamin Saxon.

Mr. Saxon strongly believed in and was committed to God, Family and Country, faithfully serving all with deep conviction. His steel blue eyes and tough exterior, served as a stealth cover for a servant-leader with a generous heart of gold, a quick wit, and wonderful sense of humor.  He was a long-time, faithful member of the Tupelo Church of the Nazarene, and on several occasions served the mission fields of Trinidad, where his sister, Ruth, was a full time missionary.

During his years of service to the Marines, highlights of his assignments include that of criminal investigator, and embassy guard. He was stationed at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Inchon, Korea and Okinawa, Japan, where he studied Karate with some of the renowned masters of the day.  His affinity for the martial arts inspired several of his nephews to seek training in the fighting arts, and his affinity for knowledge inspired many of his family to seek educational and professional pursuits.  Mr. Saxon left the Marines in 1958, joining the Army to expand his military endeavors to include that of Special Forces Operator.  He achieved his goal, earning the honor to become counted amongst the elite, legendary Green Beret.   As a paratrooper he accomplished more than 50 jumps.  He served his country in combat during the Vietnam conflict with Bravo Company, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) as well as other organizations.  He engaged in multiple combat tours spanning a four year period beginning in 1963.  A linguistics expert, Mr. Saxon spoke seven languages; some so fluently as to have no detectable accent, allowing him the ability to work with indigenous troops throughout his military career.

After learning sign language, Mr. Saxon joined the Peace Corps in 1983, where he taught wood shop to deaf children in Jamaica for two years. An intellectuals’ intellectual, Mr. Saxon sought to quench his insatiable thirst for knowledge, reading just about any meaningful literature he could get his hands on and eventually pursuing and earning a degree in Teaching English as a Second Language.

“Uncle Joe’s” whimsical side enjoyed creating pet names for his family, watching Star Trek and telling stories. His family and our nation have lost a hero, but our earthly loss is heaven’s gain!

Visitations will be the evening of Thursday, June 30, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and Friday, July 1, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. until service time at W. E. Pegues Funeral Directors, 535 West Jefferson Street, Tupelo, Mississippi, 38804 (Phone: 662-842-4872).

A service celebrating his life will be held 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 1, 2016, at the Jefferson Street Chapel of W. E. Pegues with graveside service with full military honors to immediately follow at Wesley Chapel Cemetery, Houston, Chickasaw County, Mississippi.

Expressions of Sympathy may be left at www.peguesfuneralhome.com .