He was born in Greenport March 14, 1933, and graduated from Leonardo High School in New Jersey. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was one of "The Chosin Few," troops who fought the Battle of Chosin Reservoir in North Korea in 1950. He also served in Germany from 1951 to 1953.

Mr. Axelson worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture at the Plum Island Animal Disease Center for 38 years, retiring as a senior lab technician.

A former fire chief, past captain and lifelong member of Greenport Fire Department's Standard Hose Company No. 4 and a former department fire commissioner, he was also a charter member of Company No. 6 of the Mattituck Fire Department. He was a lifelong member of VFW Post No. 10210 in Sebastian and a member of American Legion Post No. 189 in Watertown, Wis. He received the fellowship degree from the Loyal Order of the Moose No. 1767 in Sebastian River, Fla. and belonged to the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks No. 2714 in Sebastian. Mr. Axelson was also a founder of the Korean War Veterans Association's Grey Beards, life member Charter #75 national.

Mr. Axelson is survived by his wife of 14 years, Barbara; his daughter, Mary Jane Williams of Chester, Va.; his stepchildren, Colleen Young of Ridgefield, Conn., and Owen McCarron of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and 11 grandchildren. He was predeceased by his brothers, Harold and Fred.

A memorial service was held Jan. 29 at Sebastian Cemetery, with military honors by the area Veterans Honor Guard. Arrangements were handled by Seawinds Funeral Home in Sebastian.

Memorial donations may be sent to a charity of the donor's choice.

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