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John Saxton Acker

  • September 19, 1940 - September 2, 2011
  • Clarkdale, Arizona
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Memories & Candles

“John was chair of the OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning) group of Cottonwood while I was Asst. Director based at the Yavapai College campus. John did...Read More » ”
1 of 12 | Posted by: Diane Phelps - Sedona, AZ

“My world has always been richer because John Saxton Acker was there. He and his sister Charlotte have been my friends since we first met as children...Read More » ”
2 of 12 | Posted by: Norma Russell - Flagstaff, AZ

“sarai sempre nei nostri cuori e nei nostri pensieri ti ricorderemo sempre con affetto Silvia e Roberto ”
3 of 12 | Posted by: silvia e roberto - roma, AZ

“I did not know too much about John but I will always remember the morning walks and chats we shared with little Libby. ”
4 of 12 | Posted by: Eleanor Mead - Lake Clear, NY

“Dr. Acker will be sorely missed. I loved the many classes I took with him as my teacher. ”
5 of 12 | Posted by: Jennifer Armfield - Flagstaff, AZ

“I always hoped to see John again after he retired from NAU. I enjoyed his intelligent and well-read conversation. He is a friend that will always be...Read More » ”
6 of 12 | Posted by: Laura Sujo-Montes - Flagstaff, AZ

“I have many fond memories as a student in John's class. He made me want to be a better student and inspired me to be a better teacher. ”
7 of 12 | Posted by: Shadow Armfield - Flagstaff, AZ

“John was a wonderful teacher. I took a class last year and was amazed at his knowledge, humor, and kind manner. I will miss him. Lois Pearson ”
8 of 12 | Posted by: Lois Pearson - Cornville, AZ

“Our deepest sympathy to John's Family. We enjoyed his company on many occasions at our home after OLLIE Classes. His smile and warmth will be missed. ”
9 of 12 | Posted by: JD and Karen Maddy - Clarkdale, AZ

“Tremendous loss, I learned so much from John, a dear person and wonderful educator. Thank you for your gift of knowledge to your friends and students. ”
10 of 12 | Posted by: Ruthie Armfield - Flagstaff, AZ

“Dr. Acker was a teacher (in every sense of the word) and a friend. I came to know him through my mom, then took a class from him (many years ago). I...Read More » ”
11 of 12 | Posted by: Dawn M. Armfield - Saint Paul, MN

“John was indeed a man of "infinite wit" and we miss him deeply. He won many awards for his teaching, the admiration of students and colleagues, and...Read More » ”
12 of 12 | Posted by: Joseph Boles - Flagstaff, AZ


Professor Emeritus of Humanities John Saxton Acker died September 2, 2011. He was seventy years old. Born in Flagstaff, he was a member of the Flagstaff pioneer family who settled the Apache Maid Ranch. Dr. Acker left Flagstaff to study painting at the Universita Per Straniere in Perugia and the Accademia in Torino, Italy. He returned to Flagstaff in 1960. Dr. Acker taught courses in Humanities and Art History at Northern Arizona University. He had a great love of Southeast Asian, European, and Native American art and culture. Over his many years at NAU, hundreds of students benefited from his knowledge and kindness. He is survived by his sisters Charlotte Acker of Clarkdale and Alice Joshevama and family of Oraibi. There will be no memorial service. To honor his memory, the family requests that donations be made to the John Saxton Acker Memorial Scholarship in the College of Arts and Letters through the NAU Foundation, Box 4094, Flagstaff, AZ 86011. An online guestbook is available to sign at www.westcottfuneralhome.com