John Baxter's Obituary
JOHN EDWARDS BAXTER, PhD, 75, of Memphis, died peacefully at home Wednesday, June 5, 2013. He was born August 29, 1937, in Meridian, MS, the eldest child of John Edwards Baxter and Maybelle Bailey Baxter. Raised in rural Lauderdale County, MS, John and his younger brother James (BB) enjoyed a childhood filled with baseball and outdoor activity. John was an Eagle Scout and loved fishing, hunting, hiking, and camping his entire life. An adventurous spirit, he earned his pilot’s license, raced Triumph sportscars, played rugby, and mountain/ice climbed in Europe. He was a gifted student and went on to earn a BS in Chemistry from Millsaps College, a MS in Radiation Physics from Vanderbilt University, and a PhD in Physical Chemistry from Duke Univeristy. He met his future wife, Polly Hancock, while teaching at North Carolina Wesleyan College, where she was a fellow instructor. They were married for 44 years and raised four children together. John and Polly moved to Memphis in 1972 when he accepted a faculty position at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. He remained at UTHSC throughout his distinguished 37 year career of teaching, research, and information technology. John had a great love of classical and choral music and sang with many choirs throughout his life, including the Millsaps Singers, the Rhodes College Master Singers, and the Christ United Methodist Church chamber and chancel choirs. Dr. Baxter was preceded in death by his parents. He leaves his loving wife, Polly, two daughters, Laura Capooth (William) and Mary Russ (Greg) and two sons, John (Dana) and Robert. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Grace, Rose and Will Capooth and Siler Russ. He also leaves his brothers James Baxter of Vicksburg, MS, and William Baxter (Nancy) of Sedona, AZ. The family would like to thank the staff and caregivers of Page Robbins Center, Comfort Keepers, and Crossroads Hospice for the generous help and compassionate care they provided. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Page Robbins Center in Collierville and Christ United Methodist Church Sanctuary Choir Fund.
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