A Tribute to our friend and fellow Wanderer
Kent Saxton

Kent died in a motorcycle crash May 18, 2006 in Arkansas on Hwy 341, also known as Push Mountain Road, less than a week after completing the inaugural Ride Around Texas sponsored by the MTF.

Ride free, my love, you continue to be the wind beneath my wings. Until we ride together again. ......Carole

Kent Saxton, 64, died May 18, 2006 from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident. Kent was born in Seward, Alaska, on June 25, 1941. He attended high school in Alaska and graduated from San Juan High School in Sacramento, California. He attended college in San Francisco, Sacramento, and the University of California-Davis He returned to Alaska in 1965 where he worked for Alaskan Geophysical and was vested through Carpenter's Local 1281. He volunteered countless hours as a member of the Denali Ski Patrol since 1970. He moved to San Diego in 1996 and worked in computer research and design, retiring in 2004. He spent the next 3 years touring the United States on his motorcycle. He was active with the San Diego Wanderers a group of safety conscious motorcycle riders that toured together on weekends throughout southern California. He is survived by parents, Lyle and Louise Saxton, of Yuma AZ, children Kira and Kyle, former wife Kalen, four grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and companion Carole Helstrom. He is also survived by a large extended family both of San Diego and Alaska. He is survived by many friends all over the United States too numerous to list, and by very close lifelong friends Larry and Margie Foster of Alaska. The San Diego Wanderers will hold a Memorial Ride for Kent after their regular meeting on May 27th. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at the First Baptist Church, Troy Street, Spring Valley, CA on May 27th about 1:30 p.m. after the riders arrive. Kent's grandparents, Kent and Clara King, homesteaded in Hope Alaska. Kent's mother and uncle grew up there. His ashes will be scattered in San Diego Bay and on the King family homestead at Hope, Alaska. Please sign the guest book at obituaries.uniontrib.com
Published in the San Diego Union-Tribune on 5/26/2006.

ALL WHO WANDER ARE NOT LOST

Kent Saxton appreciated life, living every day as if it might be his last. He’d greet each day by saying “Great, we get to try again today.” He died the way he loved to live...riding his motorcycle.  Kent realized the dreams of many, retiring young enough to enjoy constant travel, visiting places he had never been, bringing his love of history, geography, nature, and people into his daily experiences.

Kent filled many roles. He was son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and loving partner. To all, he was a model friend, teacher, coach, and inspiration. His energy for life, enthusiasm for learning, dedication to the safety of riders, and interest in everyone he met drew people to him like a magnet attracts iron filings. He listened with respect, honoring every individual he met.

Kent was a living oxymoron. He modeled:
gentle strength
exhausting energy
reserved openness
distant closeness
controlled spontaneity
aged youthfulness
dateless schedules
predictably unpredictable

You never really knew him, you only knew you loved him.
He exemplified the saying....All who wander are not lost.

Ride free Kent. We carry you with us on all our rides, always.

In loving memory,
Carole

A few select comments from Kent's MTF Friends:

• I met Kent in the parking lot at the FF for the first time, we talked a bit about his rides and my new fjr. He seemed a real happy fellow willing to spread his knowledge. I liked him instantly and was looking forward to seeing him down the road. - Randy Freyer(rcan08)
  
• "I liked him instantly" I think a lot of folks will make the same observation. I felt the same way when I first met him in California. As other said that well seasoned smile as he peered underneath that fishing hat also just seemed to reach out and grab you. - Alan Leduc (AL200(1343))
  
• Braz, Kevin, Dan, and I had dinner with Kent Friday evening before the Founders Feast at Dennys. He was sitting alone studying maps and we invited ourselves to join him. He was one of us. - Alan Leduc (AL200(1343))
  
• Kent will forever ride in my memories.    As Alan mentioned, I had met Kent for the first time on Friday evening, and right away I felt he was a person I'd like to know more about. He truly contained the spirit that is this forum.     Godspeed my friend! - Dan Huber (MapMaker(EODMaps))
  
• I really enjoyed visiting with Kent at dinner that night. Seemed to be a very warm and caring man - Don Braziel (Braz(DBraziel1)
  
• I was just shooting the bull with him and now he's gone. Had a smile like a searchlight. - Wayne Boyter (WBoyter)
  
• Kent had a happy & caring spirit you couldn't help but like. He will be missed!! - Kevin Lechner (leck63)
  
• Anyone who ever met Kent will remember a free spirited, optimistic, always smiling- with his eyes as well as his mouth- person. If you ever talked to him you will remember him. -Tim Yow (Rydnfool)
  
• Kent was one of the good ones. His smile preceded him wherever he went and his outlook on life guided him in his travels. The world just doesn't seem right at this point - Jason Jonas (nankoweap)
  
• I signed him in from the RAT ride and when I noted his odometer, I saw that he had 128,000 miles on the bike and said that was a lot of miles. Kent laughed and said, "Not really, it's already 2 years old!" He bought it to ride. He was a very interesting guy. - Don Braziel (Braz(DBraziel1)
  
• I met Kent & Gery briefly in the parking lot during the tire kicking session before the RAT. I remember thinking that they made a good pair of riding buddies, both enjoying the event and grinning from ear to ear. In many ways Kent seemed to embody the eclectic group we call MTF, he will be missed. - Bill (WMTS)
  
• talked with him a bit the day we got in and also on the 8 hr rally day. We were one of the last ones to leave to start the rally. He was showing one of the hotel workers the rally sheet during his planning and they were talking about what the best scenic routes would be. He seems like a very happy guy doing what he loved to do. - Matt Milanowski(FZ1 Matt(_mtm_))
  
• I feel fortunate to have been seated next to Kent during the FF. Quick to smile and very friendly. We talked about Alaska and riding in Arizona. This was a man enjoying life. - Bob Mulcahy (mulcahyr )
  
• I was fortunate enough to talk with Kent again just before he left for the RAT ride. As seen in the photos of Kent he has a smile and enthusiasm that is contagious. I know Kent could walk into anywhere and instantly make friends. Kent will be missed by all of the people he met and all of the lives he touched. I only wish I could have known Kent better then the two times I met him and talked with him, but what I do know is Kent is one terrific guy. - (Langly)
  
• I barely talked with Kent at the 100ccc and a bit at the FF/RAT, but you had to like him as soon as you saw his smile and enthusiasm. He was a obviously a motorcyclist in the true sense of the word. - John McCain (maps8)
  
• Met Kent Sunday morning after the FF in the Lobby of the Super 8, both of us were staying there. Had coffee and a bit to eat there and talked for an hour or so. A couple of old farts talking about their passion for riding. Then we left, he to visit a friend in Branson and I for home. He was doing what he loved, seeing the country and visiting friends. He went doing what he loved, not the worst of fates. Sadly, he was someone I would have liked to meet again. - Dave Hinks (daveh141)
  
• I was sadden when I heard of Kent's death,,, and had even met Kent by chance a year or so ago in my travels out west... Seeing another ST,,, I wandered over to his bike,,, and looked over to see him looking at mine... We had a laugh about it and he asked if I wanted to trade even up... Spent 10 minutes yacking with him,,, and know,,, without a shadow of doubt,,, he looked at the world of Motorcycles like me... Freedom... Never talked to him again,,, just wrote his name down in my little tablet of road stories I came across... I truly thought,,, I wanted to be more like him... He was,,, that nice of a guy... Terry Hammond (aclhammond)
  
• I rode the Ferry during the RAT with Kent and Gerry. It was the first time I had met Kent. I warmed up to him immediately. Gerry was SO HAPPY at that moment. I could tell he and Kent were having a blast riding together. I saw them both several times during the RAT. Always waving and smiling like mad fools...After the RAT back at the hotel - I saw Kent many many times. We really hit it off. In my mind I said to myself - "I need to visit this guy in... I guess we can take some comfort knowing he was doing what he loved best - right to the very last moment. Not many of us get to say that. I really miss you Kent. Your passing is OUR loss for sure. - Kevin Healey (011wizard)
  
• My Wife and I are long time friends and fellow-riders of Kent, My Wife rode to Alaska with him one year ago, and she feels priveleged that he was her mentor and taught her so much about endurance riding and riding thru weeks and weeks of bad weather and bad roads. and flooded campgrounds. - John Del Santo(mcbwaycool)
  
• Kent was a very special man. He could always be seen with a smile and was the first one to offer help to any one he met..... Kent was a special kind of guy that was always smiling and improving his skills and those who rode with him. - Rod Fleming (RodVV) - President & Fellow member of SDWanderers (sdwanderers.org)

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  A Message From Kent

  By Rose Fleming,
  A Fellow SDWanderer

  
  

  I’ve seen the snow-capped mountains
  In the land of the midnight sun. 
  I’ve slain the mighty Dragon
  And run the River Run.
  I’ve seen the leaves turn golden
  And rode in rain and snow.
  I’ve made close friends along the way
  And shared all that I know.

  I’ve slept beneath the tall oak trees
  My face turned to the sky,
  My bag, my hat and netting
  Protecting me from the night.
  I made my home away from home
  And crossed into peaceful slumber
  Till the sun arose and I awoke
  To birdsongs without number.

  I wandered o’er this wondrous land
  From West coast to the East
  From North to South, I rode the roads
  My journey seldom ceased,
  But simply paused from time to time
  To ponder and reflect
  Upon the glorious sights I’d seen
  And the memories I’d collect.

  I added pins to my old felt hat
  From ride stops near and far
  Till its battered crown was all filled up
  And had no room for more.
  I lost that hat while filling up
  My tank at a Mobil Station,
  And thought it gone forever,
  Much to my consternation.

  But a kind-hearted soul had picked it up
  And saw my Wanderers pin.
  “It’s not just an old bum’s hat,” he thought,
  “It’s precious to someone.”
  So he found the web site and asked around
  ‘Bout a guy who liked to roam.
  Kent Saxton was the name they gave,
  And my sweat stained hat came home.

  
  

  Such friendly souls have been my boon
  As I’ve traveled here and there.
  I think I rode a million miles
  In weather foul and fair.
  I must have met a million men
  And women, and I can surely bet,
  That the only friends I haven’t got
  Are the ones I haven’t met.

  My earthly trip is over now,
  But please, dear ones, don’t grieve.
  I’m on a forever journey
  Astride a brand-new steed.
  I’m riding into unknown realms
  On roads I’ve never been
  And though I’m gone from this old world,
  I’m riding on the wind.

  Dedicated to Kent Saxton
  June 25, 1941 - May 18, 2006

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  Kent was also an active member and Safety Officer of the San Diego Wanderers
  
  
  

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