Kenneth Doxon realized dream of owning dealership

Kenneth Doxon, who with his father Marion "Doc" Doxon opened one of Auburn's earliest auto dealerships and helped the city come up with its slogan, "Little Detroit of the West," had a love affair with cars.

It began in childhood when he watched his mechanic-father at work. It continued through young adulthood, when in the depths of the Depression he worked at service stations.

Somewhere between tuning up cars and spending his off hours playing center field in the semi-pro city baseball leagues, he made up his mind to own a dealership.

By 1938, he did: Doxon and Son Studebaker. They were joined by Mr. Doxon's brother Myron, now of Tacoma, when the latter returned from service in World War II.

Mr. Doxon's son Gary, now of Federal Way, came on board in 1964 when the firm got out of Studebakers and into Toyotas.

About then the family opened one of the first Mercedes-Benz dealerships in Washington, with showrooms in Auburn and Tacoma.

"We just received our 35-year award from Toyota," said Mr. Doxon's daughter, Jacquelyn Tye of Beaverton, Ore.

Mr. Doxon died Wednesday (Feb. 9) of heart failure. He was 88.

Born in Auburn, he lived in the area all his life. A popular student and good athlete, he graduated from Auburn High School in 1929.

Auburn's Auto Row, begun in 1922 when Wayland Scarff sold Model T Fords on Main Street, is still one of the biggest in the area for the city's size, according to the Puget Sound Automobile Dealers' Association.

His daughter said he was a man of energy and commitment. He often drove back to the Midwest to pick up new cars to drive to Auburn.

Although his son and grandson had taken over much of the work, until recently he still went in daily to Doxon Toyota.

"My dad loved the automobile business, and the people," said his daughter. "If he had a business secret, it was, `work hard' and `the customer is always right.' "

Also surviving are his wife of 67 years, Alice Doxon of Des Moines, three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Services are tomorrow at 11 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, East Main at N Street Southeast, Auburn.

Donations may go to the White River Valley Historical Society, Auburn, or the Masonic Retirement Center, Des Moines.

Carole Beers' phone message number is 206-464-2391.