Richard B. Saxe Jr.

Richard Baxter Saxe, Jr. was born in Burkburnett, Texas June 30, 1923, the only child of Claudia Mae Propes Saxe and Richard Baxter Saxe. Dick grew up in various oilfield camps in the Texas panhandle, where his father was field superintendent for Gulf Oil. Following graduation from Pampa High School, he enrolled in New Mexico Military Institute in the fall of 1940 and graduated in June 1942. He enrolled in the University of Texas, joined the Army Reserve Corps and was called to active duty. After graduating from O.C.S. in 1945, he was sent to Germany and served in the 5th, 97th, and 386th Infantry Divisions as a First Lieutenant. He was then assigned to the First Cavalry Division. After combat duty in the European theater, his Division was transferred to the Pacific theater. While on a transport ship from the Philippines en route to an intended invasion of the Japanese mainland, they learned of the Japanese surrender. Dick served in the army of occupation in several command capacities. After being mustered out, he returned to the University of Texas and earned his law degree in 1949. He began his legal career in Dallas as Assistant District Attorney, under DA Will Wilson. He then relocated back to Midland where he began to practice law in partnership with Frank Bezoni and Colonel Perkins. Dick and Mary Virginia Oldham were married in 1951, and after a short honeymoon in Taos, were greeted upon their return to Midland with a telegram calling him immediately back into active military duty in Korea. He served as Company Commander of Company A of the 95th Heavy Tank Battalion including combat duty in the Heartbreak Ridge and Punch Bowl front line areas during the bitter winter of 1951, and then service in the Judge Advocate General’s Department until September 1952. Returning to Midland he formed an association with Reagan Legg and Pat Baskin. They practiced law as Legg, Saxe & Baskin for many years. He retired from the firm of Turpin, Smith, Dyer, Saxe & MacDonald in 2003 after practicing with that firm 27 years as a Board Certified Oil and Gas attorney. He was honored with a 50 year award by the State Bar of Texas. An active community leader, Dick Saxe served on the Parks & Recreation Commission for the City of Midland, Midland Junior Baseball, Midland Junior Chamber of Commerce ( Jaycees), Chairman of The United Way, past president and longtime active member of the Midland Rotary Club, founding member of the Midland Rose Society, officer and director Petroleum Museum, board of directors Petroleum Club, helped organize Midland Estate Council, board of directors Young Life, board of directors Hospice, Inc., past president of Midland County Bar Association, and member State Bar of Texas, serving 20 years on the State Bar Broker/Lawyer Committee developing contract forms required for use in the real estate industry. He was a member of Theta Xi fraternity. He loved the study of Texas history, archaeology and hunting for arrowheads in West Texas and was a member of the Midland Archaeological Society. He attended and taught Sunday School in various departments of First Baptist Church for many years. He was a wonderful mentor, a loving husband, a caring Father, a good friend and counselor to many, and a fine example of a Christian man. His family is so honored to have had the opportunity to share in his life. His wise counsel, compassion, and unfailing good humor will be sorely missed by all who had the good fortune to have known him. He is preceded in death by his wife, Mary Virginia Saxe. He is survived by his devoted wife of 23 years, Frances Hilliard Saxe, daughter, Claudia Saxe , son, David Saxe and wife Victoria, stepsons Stephen Hilliard and wife, Judy, Sheffie Hilliard and wife, Julie, stepdaughter Janet Pace , grandchildren Kathryn Hilliard Langdale and husband Jeremy , Paul and Stephen Hilliard, Alex, Andrew Pace and wife Meredith, and Julie Pace, Karen Pace Adair and husband Shawn, Jeremy, Megan, and Garrett Hilliard, and Great Grandson Dylan Langdale, and first Cousin Vee Randall and family.