Bill Text: IL SR0412 | 2021-2022 | 102nd General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourns the death of The Reverend Dr. Randall Lee "Randy" Saxon of East Peoria.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2021-09-01 - Resolution Adopted [SR0412 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2021-SR0412-Introduced.html

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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

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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

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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.