James Edward Saxton

James Edward Saxton was born in Racine, Wisconsin on October 5, 1941. It was there that he met, Kathy, his wife of 60 years. They were married on his birthday in 1963. Although often being questioned about his decision to have both his Birthday and Anniversary on the same day, he never thought anything of it. He thought it made that day even more special. That sums up Jim Saxton; an unselfish, caring person who would do anything for anyone at a moment’s notice and lived like this every day of his amazing 82 years.

Jim and Kathy spent the beginning of their marriage in Racine where they had two children, Jim and Jennifer. Jim worked in sales and in 1974 a job opportunity led them to St. Clair Shores, Michigan and into many of our lives. It was in St. Clair Shores that Jim spent his adult life as an active father, grandfather, friend, and member of St. Isaac Jogues parish. It was through St. Isaac Jogues that he met many friends with whom he remained close for the remainder of his life.

Jim was an amazing grandfather and loved his grandchildren, Emily and Ben with all his heart. He was also a wonderful grandfather to all of his surrogate grandchildren. He was “Grandpa Jim” to Connor and was at every major event in his life. He was also “Grandpa” to all of Ben’s friends. He loved being a part of each of their lives and each one of them have shown time and time again how much Jim meant to them as well. Jim was also a school grandpa to the kids at Fraser High School. He worked there as a hall monitor and absolutely loved talking about the amazing kids that he saw at school every day and how fun it was interacting with them. These kids helped keep him young and looking “drip”.

Jim enjoyed going out to eat with family friends and was often a proud member of the “clean plate club”. He enjoyed weekly family meals where he happily ate whatever home cooked meal was made for him, and always said that it was an amazing meal, even if it wasn’t. No matter how much he ate and how full he was, he always had room for dessert. He loved dessert, especially Banana Cream Pie. So much so that, per his request, he got one as a gift for every birthday and Father’s Day.

Jim loved watching all sports but he especially loved football. He was a huge Green Bay Packers fan and liked to make sure everyone knew he had stock in the team and was, therefore, part owner. Jim was an avid golfer. He especially loved any opportunity to play with his Grandson, Ben. Sports were probably Jim’s favorite hobby but a very close second was his love of crafting. Every day he would head down into his basement workshop and build amazing wood santas and snowmen to sell at craft shows, in the fall. Some would say that he loved talking about his crafts even more than making them. So much so, that his family had to jokingly put a policy into place where he was only able to talk crafts from September 1st through the craft show in November. He was never able to hold to that policy but it made for a good laugh every time his family had to say it wasn’t September 1st yet.

Jim loved to laugh and loved a good joke. He had his go to “dad jokes” that he loved to use on a regular basis. His favorites were telling the waitress that she was so good he was going to tip her 5% or calling his best friend Bill, who is 10 years younger than him, his dad in public because Jim was lucky to have a completely full, dark head of hair. Even though he was 82, people thought he was in his 60’s. He led an active, fun, amazing life up until the day he died. He will be missed by so many.

Jim is survived and missed by his children Jim and Jennifer. He is forever remembered by his two grandchildren, Emily and Benjamin; He is also survived by his two loving cats, Laverne and Shirley.

Jim was predeceased by his wife Kathy.

Visitation will be held at Kaul Funeral Home in St. Clair Shores on Thursday March 7, 2024 from 3:00pm – 8:00pm with a prayer service at 7:00pm. The funeral mass will be held at St. Isaac Jogues Parish on Friday March 8, 2024 at 10:00am (Instate 9:30am) with luncheon to follow at Lakeland Manor.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Isaac Jogues Men’s Club.