Maddox Saxton

Maddox Samuel Saxton passed away peacefully at 21 years old on September 27, 2026, after a year-long battle with colon cancer.

Maddox was born on September 19, 2005, in St. George, Utah, and was adored every second of every day by his Mom and Dad. He grew up in Washington Fields (when it was still farm fields), surrounded by his large extended family. He spent all his days with his cousins, playing made-up games, Cars, Batman, Imaginext, and Minecraft; teasing his little sister incessantly; and using his enormous imagination for his creative adventures. His cousins were more like brothers—they experienced each step of their lives side-by-side.

He attended Crimson View Elementary, Sunrise Intermediate, Crimson Cliffs Middle School, and Crimson Cliffs High School, graduating in 2024. At each of his schools, he was surrounded by wonderful teachers and educators, some of whom stayed in touch until his premature death. Maddox loved listening to loud music (especially heavy metal), playing D&D, swimming with his family, practicing the drums, playing video games, teasing his Mom, and spending all his free time with friends—usually sitting in a drive-thru somewhere, waiting for his next meal.

Maddox knew he wanted to join the United States Navy while in high school. He looked forward to the adventure of travel, unique opportunities, and serving his country. Just two weeks after high school graduation, without any fear and with much excitement, he set off for Boot Camp and A-School at Great Lakes in North Chicago (after having to shave off his beautiful, long hair!). He cherished his experiences and trials, pushing his boundaries, battling severely cold weather for the first time, and meeting wonderful friends he made at Boot Camp. He received further training in Gulfport, Mississippi.

After completing his training, he was given orders to report to Pearl Harbor on Oahu, Hawaii, as a Gunner’s Mate for MDSU-1 (Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit). Maddox made wonderful friends at Pearl Harbor and loved his short time there, living and working just steps away from the ocean. He was excited to begin his great adventure with the Navy in Hawaii.

Maddox knew he wanted to spend his life with his sweetheart, Allie. Maddox and Allie met and fell in love while he was a senior in high school and she was attending Utah Tech University, working toward a degree in geology. He quickly fell head over heels for his girl “who loved rocks.” Maddox proposed on the banks of the Virgin River as she excitedly talked about the different types of rocks along the river’s edge. They were married on Sandy Beach, Oahu, Hawaii, on June 15, 2025. He loved her intelligence and passion for nature. They truly were madly in love and best friends.

While stationed at Pearl Harbor, Maddox was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer. He returned home to St. George shortly after his diagnosis and received treatment at St. George Regional Cancer Center. With Allie and his family by his side, Maddox battled the cancer valiantly. After thirteen months of treatment, Maddox decided he was ready for his next adventure and passed away surrounded by his wife, four loving parents, and mother-in-law. We are grateful for the time we had to lovingly care for him during his illness.

Maddox is survived by his wife, Allie Marie Saxton (Moore); his father, M.J Saxton, and bonus mother, April Parsons, of Cedar City, Utah; his mother, Beckie Smith, and bonus father, Christian Smith, of St. George, Utah; siblings Marlie Mae Saxton, Henry Smith, and Sampson Smith of St. George, Utah, Conner Parsons and Devyn Parsons of Las Vegas, Nevada; in-laws Shane and Tiffany Newman of Payson, Utah; grandparents Sam and Mona Haslem of St. George, Utah; Dennis and Cheryl Smith of Hurricane, Utah; the late Lynn Griffin Smith of Washington, Utah; Larry and Daleine Hildreth of Soda Springs, Idaho; the late Marty Saxton of Rapid City, SD; Donna Bayne of Las Vegas, Nevada; and Mary and the late Steve Bayne of Tonopah, Nevada; and all of his many cousins, whom he loved so much, with a special love for Easton Brewer, Jack Brewer, Justin Dalton, Jace Dalton, Nathan Dana, and Jeffrey Dana of St. George, Utah.

Cousins: thank you for the many crazy memories, shenanigans, food runs, and hours on Discord!

Maddox’s family wants to express our gratitude and love to Maddox’s best friend, Spencer Bornemeier of St. George, Utah and JB Pearl Harbor-Hickman, Hawaii; United States Navy MDSU-1 at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; United States Navy Senior Chief Michael Kincaid of Navy Reserve Center of Las Vegas, Nevada; St. George Regional Cancer Center; Crimson View Ward of St. George, Utah; Meadows Ward of Cedar City, Utah; and Hospice RN Debbie Bowerman of IHC Hospice. Maddox loves you, Debbie—pinky promise!

A memorial service for Maddox will be held on October 16, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the LDS Meetinghouse, 40 East Midvalley Road, Enoch, Utah. A private family graveside service with full military honors will be held later that day at 2:00 p.m. at Southern Utah National Cemetery, 2181 West 1600 South, Cedar City, Utah.

As Maddox encouraged everyone during his battle with colon cancer, don’t delay: go and get a colonoscopy as soon as possible.