Dean Baxter Obituary

Deseret News, Saturday, September 29, 2001

Obituary: Dean D. Baxter

Dean DeVon Baxter, 72, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, missionary, oil executive, rancher and friend, returned to his heavenly home on Sept. 27, 2001 at the Salt Lake City LDS Hospital as a result of an inner cerebral hemorrhage.
He was born August 30, 1929 in Hyrum, Utah, the 4th son of John (Jack) and Norma Olsen Baxter. He attended school at Lincoln Elementary in Hyrum and graduated from South Cache High School. He attended Utah State University and graduated from Brigham Young University in 1956.
Dean served a mission to South Africa from 1949 to 1951. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict as Asst. Chief Chaplain in Vienna, Austria and was instrumental in getting the Church recognized in Austria.
On September 19, 1955, he married Carolyn Ann Welch for time and all eternity in the Logan LDS Temple. This began their eternal family which now consists of 31. They have always been his greatest source of joy and happiness.
Upon graduation from Brigham Young University, Dean was employed by Sinclair Oil Company in Salt Lake City. His tremendous energy and enthusiasm earned him the position of Sales Promotion Manager and a move to Denver, Colorado. He was soon made Director of Training in Omaha, Nebraska, which led him to Chicago, Illinois, Atlanta, Georgia and finally Houston, Texas where Atlantic, Richfield and Sinclair Oil Companies merged and became ARCO. Dean was promoted to Corporate Director of Public Affairs and worked in this capacity for 18 years, retiring in 1985 to serve as Mission President in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Dean's career in the oil business was long and illustrious. As Corporate Director of Public affairs, he administered ARCO's foundation by giving generously both monetarily and of himself. He sat on the board of 31 non-profit organizations to see that the money he gave was not spent frivolously.
He and Carolyn served faithfully in New Zealand for three years and then returned to Cache Valley, Utah where they farmed, ranched and were in the real estate business for seven years. In 1999, they sold their home in Logan and bought condos in Salt Lake City, San Diego, and Houston, to be near their children and grandchildren and serve as temple ordinance workers.
Dean is survived by his wife and sweetheart, Carolyn of Houston, Tx, his five children and their spouses: Blake (Karin) Baxter of San Diego, CA; Becky (David) Peterson of Houston, TX; Bonny (Joey) Christiansen of Burley, ID; Brenda (Scott) Bradshaw of Salt Lake City, UT; and Brooke (Rob) Lytle of Houston, TX as well as 19 grandchildren who lovingly called him Papa. He is also survived by four brothers and their wives. John and Ione Baxter of Brigham City, UT; Darwin and Marjorie Baxter, Modesto, CA; Robert and Glenna Baxter of Hyrum, UT; and Garth and Maydene Baxter of Mt. Sterling, UT; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, missionaries and friends.
A lifelong faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he was a zealous missionary serving in many missionary capacities; Stake Mission President, Mission President's counselor, Mission President, Stake High Councilman, Public Relations Director and Home Teacher.
Dean loved to play the piano and organ and enjoyed entertaining family and friends over the years. Most recently he played the organ in the Houston Temple, where he served as an ordinance worker.
He liked to say he had been on seven missions, but actually he was on a constant and continuous mission. He told everyone he saw about the gospel of Jesus Christ. He preached the gospel of happiness and often quoted Joseph Smith, "Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it; and this path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping all of the commandments of God."
He will be well remembered for his philanthropic and selfless service to his fellowmen. He will also be remembered for his big smile, enthusiasm, optimism and open love for all mankind.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, Oct. 1, 2001, at 11 a.m., in the Eagle Gate Stake Center on the corner of "A" Street and 3rd Ave. in Salt Lake City, Utah. Friends may call at Larkin Mortuary, 260 E. South Temple, Sun. evening from 6-8 p.m. and one hour prior to services at the Eagle Gate Stake Center on Monday.
A graveside service will be conducted at the Hyrum, Utah Cemetery at 3 p.m. Monday, where interment will take place.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, November 24, 2001 at the Memorial Park Chapel, 1101 Bering Drive, Houston, TX.