John William Baxter's Obituary
John William Baxter past away on November 30, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was 93 years old.John was born on October 10, 1922 in Jackson, Mississippi to Joseph Clay Baxter and Katherine Henrietta Baxter. Both his parents and siblings: Lionel Francis Baxter, Jojseph Clay Baxter, Jr. and Herman Baxter have proceeded him in death.John is survived by his wife of 63 years, June Baxter: His children, Mark Baxter from Mountain Springs, Nevada: Bill Baxter (Roxanne) from Bellingham, Washington: Roxane Baxter (Mike Breslin) from Biel-Benken, Switzerland. His grandchildren, Shawn Baxter, Colleen Baxter, Elizabeth Mahbod, Melissa Morris, Sara Breslin and Anya Breslin. One great-grandchild, Hunter Baxter. And several nieces and nephews.After graduating from Bay St. Louis High School in Bay St.Louis, Mississippi he attended Louisiana State University where he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. He then went on to obtaining a Master’s degree in aeronautical engineering from California Institute of Technology.He moved with his wife and three children in 1960 to Los Altos, California when he accepted a job with Lockheed Missile and Space Company. In the venue, he eventually rose to the position of manager of the Santa Cruz test facility where rocket engines and other hardware was tested.Then he was assigned to Lockheed’s Ground Vehicle Systems division where he managed various programs including Twister and Dragon Wagon (an 8 wheel drive dual body off-road vehicle and also developed one of the first environmentally friendly vehicles powered by a kinectiv energy flywheel. He worked for Lockheed for 29 years.Upon retirement, Jack and June taught ballroom dancing and then partnered with their best friends, Stan and June Kravitz and formed a company called “Resort to Dance’ which developed workshops that taught dance teachers from all over the country how to teach the newer dance steps.He enjoyed gardening, inventing, camping, hunting, dancing and played the clarinet and classical guitar. Jack had a wonderful sense of humor. His saying was “I’m not conceited, I don’t think I’m half as good as I really am!” Three words that sum up the life: Loving and dedicated husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.Quotation Poem: Do not stand at my grave and sweep. I am not there: I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow. I am the diamond glints on snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain. I am the gentle autumn rain. When you awaken in the morning’s hush I am the soft stars that shine at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry: I am not there: I did not die.In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Wounded Warriors Foundation in the name of John Baxter,Thank you to his brothers-in-arms, the 99th InfantryDivision.
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