LUXTON, David Kerry:
Passed away peacefully on Thursday, 18th September 2025, aged 81 years.
Much loved father of Vanessa and Rowena.
A service for David has been held.
Messages to the Luxton Family may be sent c/- 3 Hallys Lane, Cambridge 3434, or left in David’s online tribute book on this page.
3 Messages:
David was a valued member of the West Auckland Historical Society, and president from November 1997 to October 2003. Prior to this had been on the committee since November 1992, around the time Henderson’s Mill Cottage was gifted to the society, and subsequently, when the society withdrew from Rose Hellaby House as a display centre.
He was at the helm when the society celebrated 25 years in 2002 – a booklet was produced then: A special commemorative publication of the West Auckland HIstorical Society Inc. 1977-2002. This included David’s article What’s in a name? about the change of name from Henderson’s Mill to Henderson (later published in West of Eden Issue 1 in 2008).
We located a poem that David wrote, after he and Ben Copedo, another loved committee member, went on a bush walk.
Into The Bush
Ben and me have been into the bush
Through Rimu and Kauri with a shove and a push
Around these acres the pioneers trod
Now here they are beneath the sod
Three lonely graves and picket fence white
But here no floral tributes bright
Just a carpet of leaves that scatter and cover
The last resting place of a daughter, father, mother
Along the ridge line following the fence
Into a thicket of cutty grass dense
Down the slope and across the stream
And up the other side, getting up steam
Onto a knoll among Macrocarpa tall
Listening to Tui and Bellbirds call
Along the track dappled with light
Just like a Monet canvas, shade and light
Now just for a moment we pause and take
A look down the valley at dam and lake
Into the valley and through a creek
Climbing fast for the track we seek
Winding, twisting through the supplejack
All of a sudden we’re on Anderson Track
One last scramble and we arrive
Back with the cars on the Scenic Drive
Yes indeed, with a shove and push
Ben and me had popped out of the bush
David Luxton, November 2000
To you all, for the loss of your Dad and Grandad,
Please accept our heartfelt condolences.
May Your loved one’s memory will always be a source of comfort to you.
Love from Naomi and Keith
Bye dad 💞
We will miss you a lot 😞