Freeman Thale Saxton

Freeman Thale Saxton, age 76, passed away March 8, 2016, after a courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease. Thale was born July 24, 1939, in Tooele, Utah, to Vergia Oborn and Dell Freeman Saxton. Thale married Susanne Park in the Salt Lake Temple on July 3, 1959. He was a graduate of Tooele High School, Radio Institute of Salt Lake and the University of Utah. He spent his professional career as an electrical engineer. Many whom he supervised said he was the best boss they ever had. His sense of humor, honesty and work ethic were trademarks of his personal and professional life. He was a faithful and enthusiastic member of the LDS Church, having served a mission with his wife in the Canada Toronto East Mission and as the first Bishop of the Bridgeside Ward in Taylorsville, Utah. He especially enjoyed studying the Gospel of Jesus Christ and church history, and he loved teaching, having taught Gospel Doctrine for 20 years. He was instrumental in starting “Messiah” in the Taylorsville Stake. His family and his testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ were his most prized possessions. Thale loved life, his family and friends and was an avid golfer and tennis player. He loved traveling, camping in his motor home, and going on cruises. He was a lover of art, music and plays. He was known for his sense of humor and wit. The world has lost a great man and he will be missed more than words can convey. He is enjoying a blessed reunion with his mother Vergia; brother VerDell; and his father Dell Freeman, who passed away three months before Thale’s birth. He is also survived by two brothers, Roger and Alan Cooper; and his sister Ruth Calano. He was preceded in death by his sister Belva Fredrickson; brothers, Nick Cooper and VerDell Saxton; and nephew Kent Saxton. Thale left behind his wife of 56 years, Susanne; four children, Shelley (Jerry) Rampton, Gary (Shelly) Saxton, Annalee (Chris) Munsey and Daniel (Shauna) Saxton. He has 16 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 12 at 11 a.m. at the Bridgeside Ward Chapel, 4800 S. 895 West. Viewings will be held Friday, March 11 from 6-8 p.m. at McDougal Funeral Home, 4330 S. Redwood Road, and again Saturday prior to services from 10-10:45 a.m. at the church. Interment, Tooele City Cemetery at 2:30 p.m. The family would like to thank the many family members, friends, nurses, CNAs, doctors and specialists who cared for Thale over the past 10 years.