Jack Freed Sexton, 62, a longtime Laguna resident, died suddenly on Thursday, Aug. 2, after a valiant and courageous 26-year battle with Parkinson’s disease.
Sexton was born Oct. 16, 1949 in Inglewood. During his early years, his family moved to Laguna Beach. Although life took him to other places, he always returned to his beloved Laguna. He graduated from Laguna Beach High School and Atherton’s Menlo College, and for many years ran his own successful plumbing contracting business. Sexton had many loves, including baseball, boating, water skiing, music, tennis, and walking around town. A true Lagunatic, he could be found fishing and body surfing daily at Diver’s Cove, where he was known to clean the beach and entertain his many friends. Despite the ravages of Parkinson’s disease, he managed to stay active and engaged in life.
Sexton was a loving husband and father. He is survived by his devoted wife of 33 years, Peggy; and his daughter, Kate, 26, of Dana Point. He is also survived by his mother and father, Sue and Bob Agramonte; his brother, Mark; his sister and brother-in law, Chesi and Larry Kessler; and by nieces and nephews Megan, Lindsay, Bryan and Bradley. He was also well loved by his sisters- and brother-in-law, Ann Marie and Frank McGoldrick, and Jacqueline Hudak and family. He was predeceased by his father, Jack Sexton Sr.
A funeral mass in celebration of his life will be held on Friday, Aug. 10, at 11 a.m. at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Laguna Beach. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for medical research, www.michaeljfox.org, or the Parkinson’s Resource Organization for caregivers and their families, www.parkinsonsresource.org.
The family wishes to thank Sexton’s caregivers, Chantelle, Mischa, and Jeannie.
They also especially thank the community of Laguna Beach, who shared in the love and care of Sexton through the years: the artists and patrons of the Sawdust Festival, city lifeguards, Adolfo’s, Pavilions, and Coast Hardware, to name just a few. Even when by himself, he was never alone in his beloved Laguna.
