Gerald Baxter Obituary

Baxter, Gerald W. 76, of East Stroudsburg, PA, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 6, 2018, at home. Born on October 18, 1941 in Bronx, NY, he was a son of the late Alfred James and Amelia Cecelia (Ledogar) Baxter. He moved with his family to East Stroudsburg when he was 11 years old and was a graduate of East Stroudsburg High School where he was on the football team. Gerald joined the U.S. Navy after high school and was very proud of his service. He served on the USS Longbeach and Galveston during the Cuban Missile Crisis, and loved the ocean and watching the stars on deck at night. In 1968 he graduated from EastStroudsburg University;y with several degrees including a teaching degree. He taught science at Belvedere Middle School for three years then left teaching for a time to sell insurance for Allstate. Gerald went back to his love of teaching at Hackettstown Middle School, again teaching science. Also a local bartender for 40 years, he worked at the Deerhead Inn, House of Ming and Rudy's, which he especially loved. He served on the East Stroudsburg Planning Commission from 1984-1998, and was president for many years; and then went to the Zoning Hearing Board where he served from 1998-2014. Jerry was a member of many organizations. He was a proud mason with J. Simpson Africa Lodge, George Kemp VFW, Elks Club of East Stroudsburg, Kettle Creek Environmental Center, Vietnam Veterans of America, and the Wounded Warrior Project. He was a volunteer for Stroud Region Open Space and Recreation where he inspected many local parks. Jerry was also past president of Brodhead Watershed Association where he performed water testing on local streams. He loved to joke and make people laugh, and believed in making a difference both in his community and in other peoples lives. Jerry was extremely friendly and loved to talk to people. Survivors include his wife, companion and best friend of 21 years, Mary Joan (Thomas) Baxter; daughters, Tanya Bateson her husband Edward and son Theo of Chicago, IL, Melissa Ryals her husband Reggie and their children Andrew and Morgan of Brodheadsville, and Sara Kuhn of Baltimore, MD; his baby sister, Madelyn Harbove her husband Jack and their two children of Hellertown; and a brother, Alfred Baxter his wife Kathy and their three daughters of White Haven. Jerry will be missed by his sweetheart and buddy cats, Miss Skittles and Mr. Snickers and all his family from Rudy's Tavern where he touched many lives. His wishes were to be cremated, and a celebration of life will be held at a later date at Rudy's. Memorial donations may be sent to Lehigh Valley Pocono Visiting Nurse and Hospice, Acme Hose Company of East Stroudsburg, or Kettle Creek Environmental and Education Center. www.wmhclarkfuneralhome.com