George Henry Baxter, of Mesa Arizona, passed away November 18, 2019. George was born on a farm in Springfield, Missouri on September 16, 1937, the fourth of seven children to David Walker and Ruth Serepta (James) Baxter.
George would grow up in Springfield, become the President of the FFA, and graduate from Central High School in 1955. After spending his senior year of high school in the United States Marine Corps Reserves, George continued his military career spending five years with the Marine Corps and concluding his service in 1959 as a Drill Instructor. During that time, he married the love of his life Lela “Annie” Roach on October 12, 1957. Shortly thereafter they moved to San Diego, California. From their union brought into this world two beautiful daughters, Susan Kathleen “Kathy” Appleby and Saundra “Sandy” Baxter.
When his time in service came to an end, George and his family moved back to Springfield where he farmed for five years. However it had always been George’s dream to drive truck, as well as build and race cars. While George enjoyed his hobby of building and racing cars he worked for UPS for 14 years, and Roadway express before retiring after 30 years in 1993. He also raced in the IMCA Circuit in Des Moines, Iowa and New Orleans, Louisiana. George achieved both of his dreams and in doing so was awarded the Racing Legend Award Ozark Area Racers Reunion in 2014. In 1996, George and Annie began “snowbirding” to Arizona while living in Highlandville, Missouri and eventually made Arizona their forever home in 2003. In June of 2004, albeit contrasting to his quiet and gentle disposition, George attended Missouri Auction School and graduated despite being the oldest in his class. He went on to auction storage units in Scottsdale and Mesa, Arizona.
And with all that George fiercely loved his family, loved everything racing, enjoyed playing golf, traveling, and following his grandson LJ’s rodeo career.
In death, George was greeted by his parents; siblings, David Walker Baxter Jr., Frank Baxter, Ruth Elaine McLean, and Ida Jean Privet; and son-in-law, James “Jim” Appleby
George lives on in the hearts of his beloved wife, Annie Baxter; daughters, Kathy (?), and Sandy Baxter; grandchildren, Candace Appleby (David), James “Jimmy” Appleby (Stephanie), Larry “LJ”Jenkins Jr. (Destiny), and Rylee Bowers; great grandchildren, Dylan, and Hazel Grace; and sisters, Betty Duffy (Ron), and Nancy Payne (Larry).
Everyone is welcome to attend a Celebration of life held at 11:00am on Tuesday, December 17, 2019 at Highlands of Brentwood Clubhouse, 120 N Val Vista Drive, Mesa, Arizona 85213.