Kenneth W. Saxon, Jr., 85, of Portland, Oregon, died Sunday, January 6, 2013. He was born February 25, 1927 in Portland. He left high school to join the United States Marine Corps. He was only 17 when, alongside his fellow Marines, he was in the second wave of fighters to overtake the island of Iwo Jima. He celebrated his 18th birthday there, two days after the raising of the American Flag on Mt. Suribachi, which he witnessed on February 23, 1945. After being honorably discharged from the Marines, he joined the United States Army, serving during the Korean conflict.
Ken graduated with a degree in History from The University of Oregon where he also finished his ROTC training, and afterwards joined the Coos Bay Police Department. He left the force to earn his law degree, attending Northwestern School of Law of Lewis and Clark. He started the law firm Saxon, Marquoit, Bertoni, and Todd. On March 4, 1972 he married the love of his life, Lila Pearson.
Ken was a 40+ year member of the Irvington Tennis Club and a member of the First Baptist Church of Portland for over 30 years. He enjoyed playing tennis, reading, and most of all, he loved coaching many youth sports teams, including football, basketball, and softball.
Ken is survived by his loving wife, Lila; his sons, Kenneth, Michael, and John; step-children, Dagny, Badih, Patrick, and Molly; grandchildren Lindsay, Megan, Michael, Kenny, Derek, Jared, Michael, Taryn, Emily, and Paul; his sister Jane, and many nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, January 18, 2013 at 10:30am at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home. A Committal Service with Military Honors will follow at Willamette National Cemetery at 12:30pm.
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