Sam Saxton
January 30, 1926 - June 5, 2021
Sam was born January 30, 1926, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and passed away on June 5, 2021, in Allentown, Pennsylvania. On graduating from high school, he joined the U.S. Navy and served in the Pacific during World War II. After the war, he came to Allentown where his father was establishing Cedar Hill Memorial Park on Airport Road. He attended Moravian College on the G.I Bill and took part in an exchange program with Huron College in Huron, South Dakota. On the Western plains, Sam found a world that he loved. He developed lifelong friendships there and on graduating from Huron College, he worked in the oil fields. One of his lifelong dreams was to own a square mile of ranch land and he eventually did. He returned to Allentown to help his father in the memorial park business and stayed until the park was sold in 2003. During those decades, his involvement included being President of Pennsylvania Cemetery Funeral Association and President of the International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association, including being a recipient of its Hall of Fame award. He acquired and developed other cemeteries and was an advisor for the first Memorial Park in Japan. He was a Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commissioner for twenty years and Chair of PCCFA Legislative Committee for decades, affecting the cemetery laws of the state and making lifelong friends in the legislature. His commitment to local, state and federal politics was well known. He was President of the Young Republicans and continued support throughout his life. Among Sam’s many interests, was a love of flying. He held a commercial license and flew his own Steersman bi-plane, SNJ-5, and a Cessna 210 that traveled from Alaska to the Caribbean and all spots in between. He was a member of the local Kiwanis Club, Masonic Lodge, Ducks Unlimited Chapter, the Quiet Birdman, Queen City Airport and served on the Lehigh County Airport Authority for ten years. Yearly, he flew to Colorado to ski in the Rocky Mountains and to salmon fish in Alaska. He was a member of the Tunkhannock Creek Association, Bear Hollow Club, Grays Run Club, The Camp Fire Club of America, NRA, African Safari and Conservation Club of Philadelphia, and International Order of St. Hubertus, all organizations dedicated to the outdoor life. Sam had been an Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America and he supported their shoot at the Lehigh Valley Sporting Clays, which originated on his farm outside of Allentown. He was friends with Connie Raker and supported his fundraising efforts for the Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospital there. Sam traveled abroad many times, but he loved particularly England and Africa, which were second homes to him. His friendships were worldwide, and a love of life was his message that he shared with all. It was often said that Sam could land his plane at the most remote airport and someone would greet him with a “Sam, good to see you again.” Sam was a lifelong member of the First Presbyterian Church of Allentown.
He is survived by his wife, four children and five grandchildren.
His interment will be private at Cedar Hill Memorial Park. Arrangements by the J.S. Burkholder Funeral Home, Allentown. Condolences may be offered at: www.jsburkholder.com
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be sent to the Boy Scouts of America Minsi Trails Council, P.O. Box 20624 Lehigh Valley, PA 18002-0624 and Kiwanis Club of Allentown 1000 Postal Road, P.O. Box 91226 Allentown, PA 18109.
