On the night of March 3rd, Tracey (Doc) Doxzon of Kalamazoo died at the age of 68. Doc was born to Elmer (Doc) and Lucy Locket Doxzon. In his youth he was a wonderful skier and skied on the National Ski Patrol. He had a great voice and loved singing, especially with his daughter, Samantha.  He was a fabulous cook, and a great photographer. He joined the Navy and became a corpsman which took him into his passion for medicine.  He received his degree from George Washington University, going on to become the first Physician’s Assistant in Corona CA, and loving his job for 32 years. After suffering an accident in 2008, Doc became a functional quadriplegic, insisting he would go back to work and dance at his daughter Jen’s wedding.  He did both. He retired in 2014 and moved to Michigan and began working with the Disability Network of Southwest Michigan with some amazing people, and sat on the Patient and Family Advisory council. But his true love remained medicine and he went to work at WMU School of Medicine as a standardized patient and Certified Teaching Associate, and met the greatest group of people that he proudly called his friends. He loved every minute of it. This man never gave up, and this is what he wrote to his friends:

“I want to thank God for a life that’s been so full. That’s allowed me to travel through this great country and live throughout New England, the capital, the west and the Midwest. I’ve been able to ski 13 of the best slopes of the United States, and catamaran in the Chesapeake Bay and California. I have worked many jobs, and finally joined the navy, and became a corpsman which started me down my career path in medicine. Probably one of the wisest choices I ever made as a young man. and then was able to passionately pursue a job I loved as a PA in family practice. With marriage I found art and my children, and finally love which I’ve been searching for my entire life. In retirement I’ve had the opportunity to do more as a volunteer with the Disability Network Southwest Michigan and be with the patient and family advisory committee, and work with the greatest group of people at the WMU school of medicine. My life has been very full. My mission accomplished. I’m ready to be with my Father in His house.”

Doc will be loved and missed by a wife who adored him, Sher Doxzon, two amazing daughters, Samantha and Jennifer, a brother, Pete, who preceded him in death, and a brother, Jeff, and a brother Tim.  Also, 6 step children, Grace, Kris, Jessica, Drew, Caleb, Nicole, and a gaggle of grandchildren that he loved and enjoyed so much! He will be missed.