Harold Eugene Saxton

Harold Eugene Saxton, 89, of Ridgefield, CT, passed away due to heart failure on May 31, 2025. 

He was born on August 16, 1935, in Marion, OH; the son of Jesse Marvin Saxton and Clara Mae (Lugar) Saxton.  He was the youngest of four children: brothers Walter Edward, Robert James and sister, Evelyn Maxine.

He graduated in 1953 from Zanesfield-Monroe High School, afterwards winning an appointment to the United States Naval Academy by competitive exam. He was in the 15th company, graduating in 1959, and served on active duty for five years aboard destroyers and submarines, including the USS Albacore, and continued in reserve duty for eight years. 

He entered law school at Ohio State University in 1964, graduating with a Juris Doctor degree in 1967, and joined the law firm of Fowler White in Tampa, FL. He later left to join IBM in 1968. He retired 46 years later, after working in the legal department and as manager of contracts for the Microelectronics Division. He worked both domestically and had international assignments in Germany, Hong Kong, and Singapore. He became a member of the bar in Florida, New York, Kentucky and Illinois. He received several awards, most notably an Outstanding Innovation Award for his management of IBM’s intellectual property protection in Southeast Asia, a reward mostly reserved for engineering innovators and rare for general attorneys.  

While on assignment in Hong Kong, he met his beloved Suk Yean (née Ha) on his first trip to Korea. They were married in 1985 and their son, Stephen, was born in 1987. 

He is survived by his wife, Suk Yean Saxton, and son, Stephen Harold Saxton. He is predeceased by his parents and siblings. And far too many close friends.

His life was living the American dream, patriotism, integrity, common sense, humor, never sweating the small stuff, and following the mission. His greatest joy was being with his family. He was an avid reader, and always had a sport/exercise, including baseball, softball, running, squash, skiing, racquetball, and swimming. During the final years of his life he would enjoy walks in Ward Pound Ridge Reservation with his wife, walking multiple miles daily, rain or shine. 

Family and friends will be received on Friday, June 6, 2025 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Kane Funeral Home; 25 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield. A funeral service will take place on Saturday, June 7, 2025 at 10:00 AM in Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church; 353 Main Street, Ridgefield. Interment with US Navy Funeral Honors will follow in Saint Mary’s Cemetery; 110 North Street, Ridgefield.

Contributions in Mr. Saxton’s memory may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project or the Disabled American Veterans Foundation.

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