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Last updated on Tuesday, January 19, 2016
(LOOGOOTEE) - Martin County residents are mourning the lose of the man who the credited to bringing life to West Boggs Park.
Mike Axsom, 63, served for the past 21 1/2 years as the superintendent of West Boggs and the Daviess-Martin County Parks and Recreation Department, died on Sunday.
"It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our friend, co-worker, and leader of 21 years here at Daviess Martin Joint County Parks & Recreation Department, Mike Axsom. Mike came to us in 1994 with a vision to provide our communities with an exceptional park. With assistance from his loyal staff, he led the way by facilitating efforts for cleaning up West Boggs Lake and providing recreational services to visitors from around the Midwest. We are very sorry to have lost such a mentor, community leader, and friend," the Park said via social media on Monday.
Last fall at the Daviess County Chamber of Commerce banquet, Axsom, who also oversaw Glendale Fish and Wildlife Area, was named the Lucille Dillon Tourism Award winner. He had served as vice-president of the Daviess County Visitors Bureau Board of Directors.
Axsom also served as a reserve deputy with the Daviess County Sheriff's Department, and was a board member of the Indiana Lakes Management Society, and assistant state fire coordinator for the Department of Natural Resources. He was an area supervisor and biologist assistant for the DNR.
Daviess County Sheriff Jerry Harbstreit posted on social media "Mike helped the Sheriff's Department countless times in and around West Boggs. Heke will be missed by many, including family, friends, and co-workers."
Mike is survived by his childhood sweetheart and spouse of 43 years Susan Jane (Honeycutt) Axsom, sons Travis Lee Axsom (married to Misty Dawn Wade‐Axsom) and Todd Michael Axsom; Grandchildren Christopher Travis Michael Axsom, Cheyenne Lynn Axsom, Jada Susan Elaine Axsom, Raven Jayne Axiom and great grandson Kyson Tony Michael Axsom; Brothers Leston Jr. Axsom and Steve Axsom and sister Patricia Ann (Axsom) Butler, as well as multiple generations of cousins, nieces and nephews.
Mike graduated Bloomington High School in 1970, and Ivy Tech in Terre Haute in 1971. He was currently employed as Superintendent of Daviess/Martin Joint County Park and Recreation Department (West Boggs Park) where he has served for the past 21 1/2 years. He was also a member of the Davies County Sheriff's department.
His love of the outdoors and conservation/resource management guided him through an amazing array of career paths. Beginning with a position with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Mike served as Assistant State Fire Coordinator, and was a member of the IDNR Hot Shots. During his years as the Assistant State Fire Coordinator he also served as Arson Investigator for the Eastern Fire Department in Solsberry. He was the CEO for the Wyoming Outfitters Association and he served as the editor/publisher of the Wyoming Outdoorsman Magazine.
With all of these careers, his main focus was always centered around God, family and country. He loved the outdoors and spent as much time there as he possibly could, which lead him to also take an interest in teaching young people the love of the outdoors. He founded the C.O.O.L. (Corps of Outdoor Leadership) program and was a member of the Indiana Hunters Education Program.
With such a great and diverse man, this is only the highlights of his contribution to his community, family and country.
Funeral services for Mike will be held Friday, January 22, 2016 at 11 a.m. at Allen Funeral Home and Crematory 4155 South Old State Road 37. Reverend Ron Hawkins will preside. Mike will be laid to rest in the Solsberry Cemetery. Visitation will be held Thursday January 21, 2016 from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the funeral home as well as from 10 a.m. Friday until the time of the service at 11 a.m.
Online condolences , memories and photos of Mike may be shared with the family at allenfuneralhome.org
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