SR0412 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0412 LRB102 19012 MST 27740 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of The Reverend Dr. Randall Lee "Randy" Saxon of East Peoria, who passed away on June 12, 2021; and

WHEREAS, Randy Saxon was born in Waverly, New York to Sherm and Velma Saxon on October 28, 1947 and raised in Athens, New York; he received a Bachelor of Arts in English from Mansfield University, a Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry from Drew University; twice, he was invited to study at Oxford University in England and completed their Summer Religious Studies Program; he also earned certifications as a Master Gardener and Master Naturalist from the University of Illinois-Extension; and

WHEREAS, Randy Saxon served in the ministry for 40 years; he served at churches in Pennsylvania, New York, Texas, and in Wilmette; he also served at First Presbyterian Church of Peoria and retired as Pastor Emeritus of United Presbyterian Church in Peoria; he co-founded the United Presbyterian Church in Peoria; and

WHEREAS, Randy Saxon taught philosophy at Illinois Central College and over 40 classes for the Bradley University Osher Life Long Learning program; he led programs and was a guest speaker on Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War throughout the nation; and

WHEREAS, Randy Saxon was an active Mason and Rotarian who was thrice named a Paul Harris Fellow; he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in his youth and continued to serve the Boy Scouts of America as a troop leader, commissioner, and council representative; he was a chaplain at the Ingersoll Rand Boy Scout Camp; he served as the President of the Illinois State Historical Society and as a docent for the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield; he spearheaded the drive to erect a statue of Lincoln in Peoria at the courthouse site of his famous 1854 speech against the spread of slavery; and

WHEREAS, Randy Saxon received numerous awards and recognitions; he was proud to receive an Alumni Citation from his alma mater, Mansfield University, for civic and philanthropic work and honors from the Shinnecock Indian Tribe in New York for his mediation; and

WHEREAS, Randy Saxon could often be found outside tending to his garden or the church garden or just out hiking and observing wildlife; he enjoyed spending time volunteering in his community in a wide variety of roles; he had a gentle soul and a sharp, quick wit; he could always be counted on for a warm smile, a corny pun, or a random, little-known fact; and

WHEREAS, Randy Saxon was preceded in death by his parents and his stepmother, Betty Saxon; and

WHEREAS, Randy Saxon is survived by his wife, Anna; his children, Heather (John) Blase, David (Dawn) Saxon, Jennifer (Josh) Friedman, and Austin (Michelle Greenslate) Saxon; his brothers, Jimmy, Kevin, and Shawn Saxon; his sisters, Peg Arnold and Nancy Brown; and his grandchildren, Teslyn, Rhiannon, Riley, Aaliyah, Saxon, Lizzie, and Jupiter; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of The Reverend Dr. Randall Lee Saxon of East Peoria and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Randy Saxon as an expression of our deepest sympathy.