Jerome 'Jerry' Baxter

JEROME "JERRY" F. BAXTER

Mount Pleasant

Jerome "Jerry" F. Baxter, 72, of Topeka, Kan., formerly of Mount Pleasant, entered into rest on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2020, in Topeka.

Jerry was born Jan. 4, 1948, in Waterloo, Iowa, the son of James Gregory and Lois Eileen (Bauer) Baxter. Jerry attended Mount Pleasant schools before enlisting in the U.S. Navy, serving from March 1965 to December 1968. His ships included USS McCloy, USS Cascade, USS Beatty and USS Gearing.

Jerry was married to Deanna Hotle from 1969 to 1990, bringing two children, Shon and Rachelle, into their lives. He was united with Deb Johnson on June 23, 1993.

Jerry worked several jobs following his father's footsteps (electrician, foreman, carpenter, etc.) throughout the Mount Pleasant and Burlington areas. He later moved to Topeka, becoming maintenance director for SE Kansas Kwik Shops. He also was also professional truck driver-owner/iperator for 40+ years. Jerry's love in life was No. 1 FAMILY, boating, camping and fishing.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 27 years, Deb; his five children, Shon (Michelle) Baxter, Rachelle (Robert) Wixom, Brandon Deck, Jeff (Deborah) Deck and Joe (Catherine) Welcher; his 13 grandchildren, Samantha and Rebecca Baxter, Emily Miller, Cassie and Ali Wixom, Leah Baxter, Alex Fitzwater, Stacey, Rachelle, Catherine and Ethan Deck, and Joseph and Tessa Welcher; five great-grandchildren; 10 brothers and sisters, Jimmie (Donna) Baxter, Joe (Connie) Baxter, Dianne (Mark) Chrisinger, Judy (Denny) Bozarth, Mike (Namora) Baxter, Randy (Vivian) Baxter, Greg Baxter, Lynda (Ron) Crawford, Sherry Nelson and Brian Baxter; his mother-in-law, Peggy Sempf; his brother-in-law, Donald (Theresa) McMullin; sister-in-law, Toni Sempf (Dwayne Woodson); several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins; and his best friend, Bill Taylor.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother and one sister.

Memorial services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, at Murphy Funeral Home in Mount Pleasant with Pastor Nancy Asby officiating. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Military honors will be conducted by Henry County Honor Guard. Following the service, there will be a luncheon at the Moose Lodge, 108 N. Saunders Ave., Mount Pleasant.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.murphyfuneralandmonuments.com

Murphy Funeral Home of Mt. Pleasant is handling the arrangements.