Merlyn Duane Saxton , 84, of Johnson City passed away on Monday, April 1, 2019, at his residence in Johnson City with his loving family at his side.

Merlyn was born on March 6, 1935, in Traverse County, Minnesota to Lyda Echternach Saxton and William John Saxton.  He was raised on a farm in Traverse County, Minnesota where he helped take care of the family farm where he developed his hard-working ethics and skills.  Merlyn was a United States Air Force Veteran from 1955 to 1960; a member of the Johnson City United Methodist Church; he loved to travel with his wife and children and had been to all 50 states, Canada and Germany.  He got his pilot's license and operated a private plane for many years also taking his family along for trips and joy riding.  Merlyn loved his family dearly and will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Merlyn is survived by his wife, Nina Leola Duffield Saxton of Johnson City; children, Steve Saxton and his wife Leegay of Johnson City, Darren Saxton and his husband Brian Elley of New Braunfels and Natalie Colley and her husband David of Austin; brothers, Verle Saxton of Arizona and Darrell Saxton of Florida; grandchildren, Randy Saxton and Leslie Hickl, Matt Colley and Alexandra Colley; two great grandchildren, Hannah Hickl and Kacey Hickl.

Private family services will be held at a later date.  Local arrangements are being take care of at Crofts-Crow Funeral Home in Johnson City.