A true gentleman and the nicest man on earth, Stephen B. (Steve) Laxton departed this mortal coil in his 80th year, on January 25, 2022.
Steve had a devastating stroke on August 14, 2021, after a enjoying a splendid, sunny day with his wife, Mary. Despite his valiant efforts to recover, he succumbed to the physical and cognitive losses triggered by the stroke.
Steve was born in Zanesville, Ohio, and retained his kind Midwestern manner to the end. His family moved to Washington, PA when he was in high school. He graduated from Bucknell University and later Drexel University, where he earned a Master of Business Administration.
In 1967, after graduating from college, Steve raised his right hand and become an officer in the US Navy, a decision that influenced the rest of his life. Steve spent 23 years, 9 months, and 12 fulfilling days on active and inactive duty in the US Navy, retiring as a Commander. His first duty station was at Pearl Harbor. He then served as a “tin can sailor” on the USS Holder (DD819), which was deployed to the Mediterranean and the Western Pacific off the coast of Viet Nam. Steve moved to Philadelphia initially to teach in Navy ROTC program at Villanova University and later at the Philadelphia Naval Base supporting the Navy’s 1976 Bicentennial activities.
As an inactive Naval officer, Steve served in the Military Sealift Command (MSC) in Carney, New Jersey, and Wilmington DE, where he was the commanding officer of his unit, Military Sealift Command Northern Europe. He volunteered for an active-duty assignment attached to the staff of Commander, US Naval Forces Europe in London (1990-1991) in support of Operation Desert Storm.
Upon transfer from active duty, Steve worked at Shriner’s Hospital for Children in Northeast Philadelphia, then took an administrative position with Crozer Chester Medical Center.
Steve met his wife, Mary, when they were vocalists in the Choral Arts Society of Philadelphia. They fell in love during a 1986 concert tour of Warsaw, Berlin, and London and were married at Swarthmore Presbyterian Church in December 1989.
Steve loved ice cream, the US Navy, his dogs, Bethany Beach, fixing things, the Swarthmore community, Rotary Club of Swarthmore, Trinity Episcopal Church, Saabs, vintage Cadillacs, Bucknell University, Car Talk, Duffle Blog, and hearty laughter. But above all Steve loved his family – Johanna, 29, Olivia, 24, and Mary, his wife of 32 years.
Steve’s parents, Wilbur and Elizabeth Laxton and his sister, Margaret Laxton Steuernagle, preceded him in death. He leaves his dear girls, seven brothers- and sisters-in-law, and 13 nieces and nephews who cherished him and made him laugh.
A celebration of Steve’s life will take place on Saturday, February 12, 2022, at Trinity Episcopal Church in Swarthmore. Visitation will begin at 11:00 am and services at 12:00. For those who are unable to participate in person, a Zoom link will be provided. (In the interest of health and safety, all who join in person must wear a mask. In addition, we recommend that all who attend be up to date with COVID vaccines and boosters.)
If you wish to honor Steve’s memory tangibly, donations will be received with gratitude by Trinity Episcopal Church, Swarthmore (301 N. Chester Road, Swarthmore 19081) or The Swarthmore Rotary Charitable Trust (P.O. Box 423, Swarthmore PA 19081), earmarking the Chester Trades Education Project (CTEP) in the memo line.
Steve had a devastating stroke on August 14, 2021, after a enjoying a splendid, sunny day with his wife, Mary. Despite his valiant efforts to recover, he succumbed to the physical and cognitive losses triggered by the stroke.
Steve was born in Zanesville, Ohio, and retained his kind Midwestern manner to the end. His family moved to Washington, PA when he was in high school. He graduated from Bucknell University and later Drexel University, where he earned a Master of Business Administration.
In 1967, after graduating from college, Steve raised his right hand and become an officer in the US Navy, a decision that influenced the rest of his life. Steve spent 23 years, 9 months, and 12 fulfilling days on active and inactive duty in the US Navy, retiring as a Commander. His first duty station was at Pearl Harbor. He then served as a “tin can sailor” on the USS Holder (DD819), which was deployed to the Mediterranean and the Western Pacific off the coast of Viet Nam. Steve moved to Philadelphia initially to teach in Navy ROTC program at Villanova University and later at the Philadelphia Naval Base supporting the Navy’s 1976 Bicentennial activities.
As an inactive Naval officer, Steve served in the Military Sealift Command (MSC) in Carney, New Jersey, and Wilmington DE, where he was the commanding officer of his unit, Military Sealift Command Northern Europe. He volunteered for an active-duty assignment attached to the staff of Commander, US Naval Forces Europe in London (1990-1991) in support of Operation Desert Storm.
Upon transfer from active duty, Steve worked at Shriner’s Hospital for Children in Northeast Philadelphia, then took an administrative position with Crozer Chester Medical Center.
Steve met his wife, Mary, when they were vocalists in the Choral Arts Society of Philadelphia. They fell in love during a 1986 concert tour of Warsaw, Berlin, and London and were married at Swarthmore Presbyterian Church in December 1989.
Steve loved ice cream, the US Navy, his dogs, Bethany Beach, fixing things, the Swarthmore community, Rotary Club of Swarthmore, Trinity Episcopal Church, Saabs, vintage Cadillacs, Bucknell University, Car Talk, Duffle Blog, and hearty laughter. But above all Steve loved his family – Johanna, 29, Olivia, 24, and Mary, his wife of 32 years.
Steve’s parents, Wilbur and Elizabeth Laxton and his sister, Margaret Laxton Steuernagle, preceded him in death. He leaves his dear girls, seven brothers- and sisters-in-law, and 13 nieces and nephews who cherished him and made him laugh.
A celebration of Steve’s life will take place on Saturday, February 12, 2022, at Trinity Episcopal Church in Swarthmore. Visitation will begin at 11:00 am and services at 12:00. For those who are unable to participate in person, a Zoom link will be provided. (In the interest of health and safety, all who join in person must wear a mask. In addition, we recommend that all who attend be up to date with COVID vaccines and boosters.)
If you wish to honor Steve’s memory tangibly, donations will be received with gratitude by Trinity Episcopal Church, Swarthmore (301 N. Chester Road, Swarthmore 19081) or The Swarthmore Rotary Charitable Trust (P.O. Box 423, Swarthmore PA 19081), earmarking the Chester Trades Education Project (CTEP) in the memo line.