Obituary of Gerald F. Saxton

On April 29, 2026, Gerald F. “Jerry” Saxton passed peacefully in his sleep from complications of metastatic pancreatic cancer. He is survived by his sister Judy; his three children, David, Michael, and Julie; his two stepchildren, Lezleigh and John; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Jerry was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on July 2, 1941, to Virginia and Lloyd Saxton. He graduated from Woodward High School in 1959 and went on to Purdue University where he earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering in 1963. Upon graduation, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force. During his Air Force career, Jerry earned an M.S. in Materials Engineering and a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering. He retired in 1985 as a full Colonel following his final duty assignment as Director of Logistics, Tactical Systems, at the Air Force Acquisition Logistics Center. He was recognized with numerous honors including the Legion of Merit and the Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster. After retiring from the Air Force, Jerry held marketing and management roles at the W.W. Babcock Ladder Company in Bath, New York. He especially enjoyed serving as an expert witness in product liability cases, offering testimony at depositions and trials. In 1988, Jerry married Lois Worthington and they built a life together centered on family and faith. Jerry’s commitment to service extended well beyond his Air Force career. He served on the Service Academy Selection Committee for New York State, volunteered with the American Red Cross Disaster Action Team, worked on the board at Snell Farms, gave tours and helped restore vintage aircraft at the Glenn H. Curtiss Museum, taught homeschool gym, refereed soccer and basketball, umpired softball, and even worked as a DJ for his church radio station. Jerry’s favorite place was Keuka Lake, home to the family cottages “Idleours”, built by his great-grandfather, and “Afterhours”, built by his grandfather. There, he taught generations of family and friends how to skip rocks, hike gullies, sail, disc, water ski, and - most memorably - hold on for dear life while tubing. He delighted in sailing the family’s beloved Flying Dutchman which he considered the prettiest sailboat ever made. At the lake, Jerry was everything at once: host, skipper, prankster, motorboat driver, and caretaker. Evenings found him on the Idleours porch, nursing a whiskey and sharing stories of past adventures. As his pace slowed, Jerry spent as much time as possible at Keuka, enjoying family and friends and, as ever, working on cottage projects. In 2013, Jerry and Lois moved to Ferris Hills in Canandaigua, a decision he often said was one of their best. He especially treasured the woodworking shop where he spent countless hours on crafting projects large and small. Jerry’s illness progressed quickly, and though he couldn’t visit with all of his many friends and far-flung family members, he remained deeply aware of their love. In his final days, Jerry expressed gratitude and peace, comforted that his beloved Lois was waiting for him. A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 23, at 2:00pm at Reed Corners Federated Church, in Canandaigua, NY, followed by a 3:30pm reception and fellowship at Ferris Hills at West Lake. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jerry’s name may be made to the Reed Corners Federated Church, 4030 Ste. Rte. 247, Canandaigua, NY 14424, the Buena Vista Wesleyan Church, 6034 Cty. Rte. 69, Canisteo, NY 14823, or to Focus on the Family, 8605 Explorer Dr. Colorado Springs, Co. 80920. Arrangements are in care of the H.P. Smith & Son, Inc Funeral Home in Canisteo, NY.