John Baxter Obituary

APPLING, GA. - John Edward Baxter, 97, beloved husband of Willa Crocker Baxter, died on Wednesday, December 14, 2005 at Lake Crossing Health Center in Appling. He was the son of the late Thomas and Elizabeth Baxter of Covington, Ga. He is predeceased by two sisters and two brothers. Mr. Baxter was born in Social Circle, Ga. on May 22, 1908 and resided in Commerce, Ga. for the past 60 years. Mr. Baxter was a graduate of Monroe A & M excelling both academically and athletically. Upon graduation, he was employed by Harmony Grove Mills in Commerce. Shortly thereafter he transferred to Buford, Georgia's Bona Allen Tannery where he worked as a plant foreman as well as playing semi-professional baseball as a Buford Shoemaker. Upon the Declaration of War in 1941, Mr. Baxter enlisted in the First Marine Division and was assigned as a tank gunner in the Pacific. His division was the first to land on the island of Peleliu in 1944 and were responsible for seizingand holding a highly strategic air and land base for future operations in the Western Pacific. In testimony to their acts of heroism, their aggressiveness and their fortitude, Mr. Baxter's division was also the first to hit the beaches on the island of Okinawa as part of the largest amphibious invasion of the Pacific campaign and the last major campaign of the Pacific War. After World War II, Mr. Baxter returned to Georgia and opened B & C Dry Cleaners in Cornelia, Georgia. In 1962, he embarked on a career as an insurance agent before being appointed the administrator of the Commerce Housing Authority for Jackson County. He retired at the age of 87. The source of Mr. Baxter's greatest pleasure was in the area of community and church service. His membership in numerous organizations including the Odd Fellows, Kiwanis Club, Veteran of Foreign Wars and Gideon International benefited greatly from his leadership abilities. As a member of the First Methodist Church of Commerce, Mr. Baxter served as Chairman of the Board of Stewards, as President of the Men's Sunday School Class, as a Sunday school teacher for many classes, including the Ruth-Naomi Women's Class and as a renown Lay Leader in the church. Mr. Baxter was well known for his unique ability as a fill-in speaker for area pulpits regardless of denomination. For his family, the simple testimony of Mr. Baxter's life in faith and the multitude of ways in which he positively touched the lives of those who knew him will serve as his greatest achievements. His survivors include his wife of 73 years, Willa Crocker Baxter; his daughters, Patty Baxter Williams and husband, Dr. Neil A. Williams of Augusta, Ga., Bette Baxter Gehr and the late Dr. Samuel Gehr of Eldersburg, Md.; five grandchildren, Renee Williams Toole (Robert), Victor Baxter Gehr (Tammy), Valerie Gehr Dawson (Kevin), Neil Alan Williams, Jr. (Sally) and Vanessa Gehr Stewart (Keith); seven great-grandchildren, Jennifer Dawson, Kirsten Gehr, Jillian Toole, Jessica Dawson, Reid Stewart, Courtney Gehr, Lance Stewart; several nieces and nephews and many friends. A memorial service will take place on Thursday, December 29, 2005 at 11:00 a.m. at the First Methodist Church of Commerce, Ga. (706-335-4018). In lieu of flowers the family would consider it an honor for donations to be made in Mr. Baxter's memory to the Memorial Fund of the First Methodist Church of Commerce, 54 Cherry St., Commerce, Ga. 30529. Sign the guestbook at AugustaChronicle.com