Age 86, of Kent City, Michigan, passed away Monday, May 31, 2021 at Blodgett Hospital, Grand Rapids. He was born in Gatewood, West Virginia on February, 20 1935 to Arnold and Annie Sexton. Don graduated in 1953 from Fayetteville High School, Fayetteville, WV. He and his family moved to Jackson, Michigan that same year. He was an employee of Kelsey Hayes Corp for several years and then was drafted and served in the U.S. Army in Germany during the Cold War. Returning home, he worked several years as a delivery driver for Coca Cola. He met the love of his life, Mary Lou Turner, of Jackson and they married in 1963. Don went to work as a Fireman at the Jackson Fire Department where he served his community faithfully for the next 20 years. He retired early due to a work-related disability in 1984. Don loved taking his two sons hunting, fishing, and camping all over upper-, lower-Michigan, and Canada. He took the biggest hunting trip of his life in 1973 to Alaska. One of Don’s greatest passions was gardening. His neighbors and family always benefited during harvest season. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Mary Lou; his son, Joe (Melene), daughter-in-law Sandy, brothers Harold (Dorothy) and Bob (Donna), grandchildren, Eleanor, Jenna, Grace, Emily, Megan, Trent, also nieces Barbara and Sue Schinck (Fritz) and nephew Gary. He was preceded in death by his parents and son, Timothy. A memorial service will be held at Bethel Church, 1691 Springport Rd, Jackson on Tuesday, June 8, 2021 at 11:30 am with Pastor Jonathan Fuller officiating Don's family will greet friends and family beginning at 10:30 am at Bethel Church. Contributions in his memory will be given to Baptist Bible Church, 11384 Stebbins Ave, Sparta, MI 49345. Mr. Sexton will be laid to rest at Hillcrest Memorial Park with Military Honors provided by the Jackson County American Legion Ritual Team.
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