Robert’s Obituary Robert “Bob” McClanahan Saxon of Garland, TX died Thursday, January 10, 2019, surrounded by the people he most loved. Bob was born September 21, 1949, in El Dorado, Arkansas. His parents, Robert Reeves Saxon and Martha Jane Hopkins Saxon of Longview, TX, drove from their home in Texas specifically to have their trusted friend and doctor deliver their youngest son.
The family eventually moved from Longview to Richardson, TX where Robert attended Richardson High School and graduated in 1967. In the fall, Bob moved to Nacogdoches, TX to attend Stephen F. Austin State University where he received a bachelor of science in Business in 1971. While at SFA, he was a member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity where he made countless endearing and lifelong friendships.
Bob began his career in the business world and quickly reentered college at The University of Dallas where he earned an MBA in Management in 1978. During graduate school Bob industriously worked full time days and took a full load of classes at night. In 1984, Bob began Taekwondo lessons.
Though life circumstances and health issues lead to a break in his practice of Taekwondo, he never gave up on his goal of achieving his black belt. At the age of 60 Bob resumed classes and eventually earned his first-degree black belt. On August 22, 1987, Bob married Melody Mills at South Garland Baptist Church.
He became a stepfather to her two daughters, Arminda and Melissa and fully embraced his role in the girls’ lives. Bob was never a “step” anything to his daughters and was always a loving and supportive dad. Bob and Melody expanded their family in 1998 by adopting another daughter, Amie.
The family resided in Longview for many years, and moved back to the DFW Metroplex in 2002. Bob found additional joy in being a grandfather to Arminda’s daughter, Savannah, and Melissa’s daughter, Caroline. He was known to his family and friends as a patient, compassionate and quietly loving man who was steeped in deep faith and one who was not quick or easy to anger.
Faith was a motivating factor throughout Bob’s life and, perhaps his greatest personal attribute. He worked diligently to not be judgmental or critical of others. His compassion and sense of duty to his fellow man was an integral part of his nature throughout life.
He taught an adult singles Bible study for five years and took great joy in helping his students find God’s purpose in their lives. At the time of his death, Bob was a member of FiveStone Community Church of Garland, TX. Robert “Bob” Saxon was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Reeves and Martha Jane; brother Benjamin and sister Virginia.
He is survived by Melody Saxon of Garland; daughter Arminda Mills of Plano; daughter Melissa Hammer and husband Laromie of Wylie; and daughter Amie of Dallas; granddaughters, Savannah Mills of Princeton and Caroline Hammer of Wylie; as well as numerous cousins. A visitation will be held at Williams Funeral Directors 1600 S. Garland Ave. in Garland from 6-8 p.m., Tuesday, January 15, 2019.
Funeral services will be held at 3:30 p.m., Wednesday, January 16, 2019, also at Williams Funeral Directors. A private graveside for the family will be held in Arkansas.
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