Don D. Sexton
1929 - 2015
Don D. Sexton
1929 - 2015
Obituary
Guest Book
Don Sexton Obituary
Don was born, raised and attended school in Belleville. He received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Milliken University in Decatur, Ill. He also attended Washington University in St. Louis, where he did his graduate study. He served his country in the United States Navy, during the Korean Conflict; and attended the Naval School of Music in Washington, D.C. He was a member of Phi Mu Alpha music fraternity and was a member of the Belleville Music Union, Local #29.
Don taught and served as band director for 41 years, in the New Athens school district, where he was affectionately known as "Sam". His devotion and dedication to his students and their families was evidenced by the many relationships he maintained over the years. He also served as an adjudicator for local school music contests. He will truly be missed by all who knew him.
He was preceded in death by his parents, J. Doward and Pearl M., nee Davis, Sexton and his brother, Carl D. Sexton.
Surviving are his dearest friend, James Thomas, of Fairview Heights, his sister-in-law, Diane C. Sexton; five nieces, Donna (John) Thellman, Carrie Doss, Marsha (Terry) Suppes, Kisha Sexton, and Misty Sexton; 11 great nieces and nephews, all of whom reside in the Kansas City, Kansas metropolitan area; his dear, lifelong friend, Jack Skay, of St. Louis, Missouri; and extended family, Micky (Larry) Harris, Rochel Means, Allison Means, Emily Means, and Julia Means, all of Freeburg, Illinois.
Memorials are appreciated to Family Hospice of Belleville, Belleville Area Humane Society, or any animal rescue organization. Condolences may also be expressed online at www.lakeviewfuneralhm.com.
Visitation: Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m., Sunday, September 13, 2015, at Lake View Funeral Home, Fairview Heights, Illinois.
Funeral: Services will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, September 14, 2015 at the funeral home. Interment will be held in Lake View Memorial Gardens, Fairview Heights, Illinois.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Don Michel
August 6, 2017
Don savedmy life by pulling me out of lake Sullivan in the summer of 1948 when I fell of a raft while kids were rocking it as I could not swim. I got a chance to thank him publicly at our 60th Millikin homecoming reunion. As i celebrate my own 86th birthday today I thought of Don and wanted to thank him again for saving my life so many years ago!
Ione and Dana Hines
September 14, 2015
Jim and family, our deepest sympathies to you we just learned of Don's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. We will always have fond memories of the great BBQ's and parties that brought family and friends together on Vernier.
Kisha Franklin
September 14, 2015
I'll never forget the moment I "got it". When teaching me how to play the clarinet, he said Kisha, you're saying "who, who" when you blow, when you should be saying, "to to". After that, it just clicked. Thank you Mr Sexton for taking the time to teach me!
September 14, 2015
Sam,
What an amazing band teacher, mentor and friend you were to me and countless others at New Athens High School over the 41 years that you taught there. Your guidance and inspiration are what led me to attend Millikin University (your alma mater) to continue my music eduation, minoring in music on saxophone, the instrument you taught me. Your amazing piano skills also inspired me to take piano lessons all the way through grade school and high school. I still think of you when I sit down to play, which isn't often enough. What a blessing you were! And I'm now blessed to have two daughters who are also developing a love of music...learning piano and playing in the band at NA...loving it as much as I did. I love telling them stories about you, Sam...so many wonderful memories from band concerts, performing at solo and ensemble contests (I still have all my medals!), marching in Homecoming parades in the heat, the Chicago trip I was privileged to take with you (which we had to cut short by a day because of a blizzard...I'll never forget that!). You had such a huge impact on SO many NACHS students and your legacy will never be forgotten. Rest in peace, Sam! I know you're up there playing a beautiful grand piano, serenading the angels!
Jim & Family,
You all have my deepest sympathy. Sam was a true gem...one of a kind. Hold onto your beautiful memories of him and let them sustain you in the days ahead. Sam will be missed by the countless lives that he touched. He will forever remain in my heart.
God Bless~
Amy (Loesche) Drake, NACHS Class of '90
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Jenny McDonald
September 14, 2015
I send my thoughts and prayers to Don's family and friends. I feel lucky to have been one of his band students in New Athens. He truly loved what he did. He always made things fun and really listened to his students. It is sad this world is without him but, truly blessed that he influenced and touched so many lives.
Delores Harriss
September 14, 2015
Sam,
You are at the top of the list of teachers that I admired and respected both as a student and a fellow teacher. You knew how to bring out the best in students. First hour band started the day on a positive, enjoyable note. Rest in peace.
Gary and Jean Beggs
September 14, 2015
Our deepest sympathy to Sam's family and friends. When we talk about our school experiences and growing up in New Athens, Sam often comes up in only fond memories. He will be missed.
Jeanne Jansen
September 14, 2015
My Sympathy to Sam's entire family. He will be greatly missed by his NACHS family too. To many of us the band room was a sanctuary that we respected and felt respected in. Especially for the girls, we didn't have sports to turn to so having band was something we could put all that energy into and feel we were accomplishing something. He made us want to be the best we could at parades(turning corners in straight lines), concerts and contests. We could tell by his face whether we did as good as he knew we were capable of. Some of us couldn't afford instruments, so he made sure we had a school owned one to use. Thank you Sam for all you did for us crazy kids! How you got such beautiful music out of us was truly a miracle.
Marcia Owens (née Range).
September 13, 2015
Sam was "instrumental" in developing so many of the youth of New Athens. He knew how to get the most out of his little musicians and we rose to the occasion--successfully competing against much bigger schools at contest, festival and parades. He was loved by all who knew him! RIP friend...job well done!!
Jill Newman
September 13, 2015
Sending sympathy to don's family and great friends. What a wonderful man he was...such a bright light for so many of us band "kids". Always there to help us with music school or life. Will cherish so many pleasant and good memories and his extra help to me in my career in music. Love and peace
Susie (Loesche) Becherer, NACHS Class of '79
September 13, 2015
Sam,
Great teacher, mentor & friend. I cannot think of anyplace else I would have rather been during those impressionable years than under your wing. Such a safe, comfortable & familiar place to be. Many thanks for always having faith in me & encouraging me to widen my horizons. (Even when it meant having to work a little harder) You were truly one of my greatest blessings.
To Jim & Family,
My deepest sympathy to all. May your many memories help lift & sustain you. Sam was a truly remarkable man & will remain forever in my heart.
Celeste (Strassman)Bowman
September 13, 2015
You were kind, caring and believed in all of us. Your love of music resonates through all of your students. I am so grateful you were part of my education. You kept me "in tune." Thank you, Sam. You will never be forgotten by those privileged to have been taught by you.
Amy
September 13, 2015
Sam, having known you since grade school I have so many fond memories. The very best band director, teacher, and friend we could have had. The bandroom was the place to hang & be safe. You were very respected and loved. I could never thank you enough for taking my son under your very knowledgeable wing & teaching and befriending him. It's because of you he achieved his dream of attending Millikin and is still performing there & around that area today as well as being an elementary school principal. Rest well, my friend, you certanily deserve it. You've touched innumerable lives with love and kindness & i hope you feel that has been returned many times over.
My condolences to Jim and your family. I know Sam's love will be with you forever as it will be with all of us.
Stephanie Junge-Ahern
September 13, 2015
Sam, you will be so dearly missed. I remember as a young girl all I wanted to do was be in band and play an instrument. For New Athens students... You were an inspiration. I can remember being so excited to finally be in high school and have the ability to march in parades with you. It was such an honor. You taught my parents, my uncles, and so many of my friends. You made band fun. You made music fun. You touched my life forever. Thank you!!
Fay (Herzog) Kokkeler
September 13, 2015
You were the reason I majored in music at Milliken University and became a teacher and professional musician. Some teachers can teach the "techniques" of music but not the essence of it. You had the unique ability to inspire your legions of students to surround themselves in the art form and love the result. That is something no one ever forgets no matter how many years pass. I am so grateful to have known you...it was an honor and a blessing. Goodbye, dear friend, and rest in peace knowing how much you were valued and loved.
September 13, 2015
Sam instilled a love for music for so many of us fortunate enough to be taught by him. I am glad to say that even after my 1st class with him almost 50 years ago, I still love to play my instrument. From marching in the homecoming parades which always seemed to be the hottest weekend of the year (in those really "cool" black wool tuxedo style uniforms) to taking road trips to play in festivals or play for home basketball games, those were memories that Sam gave me (us) that will forever be the basis for our love for him.
Dorothy Hacker
September 13, 2015
My thanks always for the music you gave my children, what better gift I can't imagine. Their friend,teacher and someone making school fun. Dorothy Hacker
Sally Thies Gustin
September 13, 2015
My memories of Sam, as a teacher and as a person, have always been excellent memories. He was very special to us all. Hugs to Jim and the family.
Leana Bradtke(nee Junk)
September 13, 2015
Don wasn't only my band teacher...he was friends with my older brother Roger. We went swimming at his house, He and my mother (Madge) would share a "cooler" on the band trips. He will be missed. (My maiden name was Junk)
Jo Lynda
September 13, 2015
Don, I have loved being part of your life since 1967. Thanks for all the good times and memories from Vernier. St. Louis, Sullivan, Mexico, Europe. Now you can enjoy a cabana on the beach or tend a garden or work to your heart's content. No more aches and
pains. You deserve to rest in peace.
Barbara McDonald
September 12, 2015
Don -
I will always remember your sweet kindness when I came to your (parents) home and we picked up bricks for that Belleville manor...it was only 53 years ago.
As years pass, we connect and reconnect. You were an amazing man.
Love, Barb and Tia shares in my condolences, Jimmy.
Paul Nuernberger
September 12, 2015
Sam got me interested in instrumental music. Although I wasn't the greatest baritone player, I was good enough to let him know I learned something and enjoyed it too. Not one time did he get upset. Thank you, Sam, for some of the bestie memories of days gone by. RIP.
Karen Eckert Bahr
September 12, 2015
I appreciate his dedication to music education. Through all the years of piano and instrument lessons, band, and marching practice/parades, he tolerated much. He helped me gain my love of music and is partly responsible for the music teacher I am today. His joy of music was imparted to many of us, and lives on in his students today. AND he made it fun. What a great legacy!
Jennifer Lischer
September 12, 2015
He was always a great band teacher, friend and musician. He definitely left his mark at NACHS and made a difference for a lot of kids
Ruth Ann (Hacker) Hanft
September 12, 2015
Jim & family you are in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. He was the greatest band teacher New Athens ever had, but was so much more than just a band director. The class of 68 has so many memories of swimming,playing "spoons" and cards on Friday nights at your house -- you have a special place in our hearts. Rest in peace Sam, Love ya!!!
Kathy and Jill
September 12, 2015
35+ years of great friends, fun and memories. Heaven will have some great 4th of July parties now!
September 12, 2015
He was a great band director for many years. We learned a lot more than music from him over the years. Hope to meet him again in heaven.
~ LuAnn (Mueller) Orlet, NACHS student of Don Sexton
LuAnn Mueller Orlet
September 12, 2015
He was a great band director for many years. We learned a lot more than music from him over the years. Hope to meet him again in heaven.
Lisa (Roley) Modglin
September 11, 2015
Sam had such a positive impact on my Jr and Sr High School years. He taught me music and so much more. The band room was always a safe haven. I'm proud to have been one of his students. Love ya, Sam!
Pam Harris (Kirkpatrick)
September 11, 2015
You definately left your mark at New Athens High School and you will be sorely missed! Rest assured that most if not all of your students have many good memories from your class and your love of music. Now you have a new audience to play for.
Keri
September 11, 2015
He was the greatest band teacher at New Athens High School. He will be missed. Rest in peace.
Mike Buettner
September 11, 2015
Going to miss you dear friend. I know you are up there learning the harp now:) But every once in a while "Play it again Sam". May the peace you now have shine down on all those you touched. And may Jim and your family enjoy the memories and find peace knowing you are no longer suffering and can now get back to planting all those things you desired. REST IN PEACE Don.
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