Michael Alan Saxby, age 70, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, July 22, 2025. He was born on December 17, 1954, in Canandaigua, New York. Being a child in a military family, Mike moved all around during his childhood. One of the last places that he lived with his family was Jacksonville, Arkansas. Mike graduated from Jacksonville High School in 1972. Following graduation, he joined the USAF at the age of 17. He proudly served in the Air Force Security Police for 12 years traveling to Cheyenne, Wyoming; Altus Oklahoma; Ramstein, Germany; Lansing, Maine; and Mildenhall, UK. After his military career he returned to the Little Rock area where he worked at the Department of Human Service for many years. In more recent years, he was semi-retired working at UAMS as a standardized patient. He was a Secret/Mystery Shopper, where he had many adventures, some with Denise when a plus one was required. He spent many hours referring volleyball, basketball and some baseball. He truly enjoyed volleyball and had worked his way up to college level matches, traveling all over Arkansas and the country. He volunteered at the Salvation Army serving the hungry breakfast once a week. He had a generous heart, was very outgoing and would talk to anyone. He never met a stranger.
He was predeceased by his parents, Lawrence and Evelyn.
Survivors are his daughter, Jasmine Noland and granddaughter, Isabella of Tucson, AZ. Siblings are Jerry, Steve, Rhoda, Sherry and Mindy. Additional, he will be greatly missed by many friends.
A celebration of Mike’s life will be on Sunday, August 10, 2025 from 1 – 5pm at 501 Volley; 4107 Richards Rd, North Little Rock, AR 72117.
Cremation arrangements by A Natural State Funeral Service 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas, 72076. 501-982-3400. Online guestbook available at www.anaturalstatefuneralservice.com
18 Comments
I’m so sorry to hear of my friend, Mike passing away. He was incredible to work with and always enjoyed our sarcasm and bantering back and forth while working as UAMS SPs.
RIP, Mike. You will be greatly missed.
Mike helped me get my start in reffing by giving me some of his own matches at a tournament he scheduled so I could get time on the stand. He would let me R2 for him so I could gain that experience as well. He was always willing to answer questions or explain rules when I didn’t get the application quite right. I am honored to have known him, even if for just a little while. His sarcasm & sense of humor will be missed.
I had Mike as a ref during my high school reffing years. He kept the game fun and everyone around him always had fun too. I can only assume he was the same way in all aspects. As an adult I was gearing up to start reffing with people like him in mind. Condolences to those around him.
Mike, Gave a lot of opportunitys 💯 to me in the short time I knew him. Praying for his family and loved friends doing this time of loss. Life is worth the living ✨️
Thanks for being a great friend and mentor to so many! So glad to be your USAV 2019 classmate!!!
So sad to learn of Mike’s passing. He was a great guy and had such a positive impact on so many people in the volleyball community and in life. I’m proud to call him a good friend!
Prior to joining the delta region, you were just another face in the crowd at a USAV tournament. As soon as I joined the region, I realized your love and passion for the sport. You helped me grow into a better official, as well as, made me laugh along the way. You will be missed by many.
Both a perfect gentleman and a complete cad. They don’t make ’em like that anymore.
Great person
Mike was one of a kind and will always hold a special place in my heart. He was the patriarch to our sweet volleyball family. My prayers are with all his loved ones.
Very Professional Official…..I will miss our enthusiastic rules discussions of the past 20+ years
Mike brought boisterous joy to the SP program. His passing leaves a space that could never be filled. His enthusiasm for the job and will to be great at it were what made him so easy to work with. Mike’s compassion and open heart are what made him a good friend. He will be sorely missed.
I worked as an SP with Mike for many years. He was energetic, helpful, happy, and wonderfully sarcastic at times. He had a huge heart and also loved reffing very much. I will miss him.
Mike welcomed me with open arms to his volleyball family. We traveled to games together and learned about one another and our families. Mike was not only my assignor but truly a good friend. I will miss him dearly!
Rest In Love Mike
Delvekio Rudd
Love you Mike, you have become part of our family and we will all greatly miss you.
Tournaments won’t be the same without you there harassing me and me giving it back to you.
We will miss Mike terribly. He was a great friend and mentor to me and many others.
I was priviledged to work with Mike at UAMS as one of my most dependable Standardized Patients. He was so dedicated to doing it right and being fair to the students. Even though I have retired, he is missed and will leave an indelible hole in the program
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