Douglas Kendrick Baxter

1960 - 2023

Douglas “Doug” Kendrick Baxter of Montgomery, AL passed away on June 11th, 2023, after a courageous seven year battle with cancer, at home surrounded by loved ones.

Doug was born in Mobile, AL on June 15th, 1960. He graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in 1978 and then Auburn University in 1985, where he served the Auburn University Athletic Department as manager of the track team and volunteer assistant coach for seven years. He began his career in education and athletics with the Russell County School System at Ladonia Elementary School. He also briefly taught and coached at Strom Thurmond High School in South Carolina, and then went on to serve a devout career of twenty-seven years with Montgomery Public Schools. In Montgomery, he served at Brewbaker Primary School for four years, Carver Junior High School for four years, Southlawn Middle School for fourteen years, and Chisholm Elementary School for five years to finish out his career. After 31 years of dedicated service, Doug retired in June of 2017 from the Montgomery Board of Education. Additionally, he steadfastly served as a registered official with the Alabama High School Athletic Association for 30 years. During his time, he served in various sports: football, wrestling and baseball. In football, he served as a referee in which he worked the Super 6 in 2008. In wrestling, he worked six state championship tournaments before becoming the state coordinator and rules interpreter the last two years. And finally, in baseball, his passion, he served 30 years, working twelve finals.

Doug was a kind, thoughtful, Godly man who served in many roles: Husband, Dad, PawPaw, Uncle, Friend, Coach, and above all else, good and faithful Servant of the Lord. Doug was known for many things— His relationship with the Lord in which he brought his family up in the same manner, his deep commitment and loyalty to the organizations and school systems he worked for, the joy he shared in watching his favorite sports teams, his Auburn Tigers and Atlanta Braves, and his competitiveness in games of Speed Uno and Domino’s in which he was always quick to remind someone it was their turn. Doug selflessly loved and cared for his family until the very end.

Doug is survived by his wife, April Jones Baxter; daughter, Mary Ann (Baxter) Crews (Husband, Giarred Crews) of Luthersville, GA; son, Kendrick Baxter of Easley, SC; son, Nathan Baxter of Auburn, AL; sister, Cindy (Baxter) Mewborn (Husband, Mike Mewborn) of Fayetteville, GA; brother, Chris Baxter (Wife, Angel Baxter) of Brewton, AL; in-laws, Bruce and Florence Jones of Montgomery, AL; nieces and nephews, Jessica (Justin, Levi, Caroline), Thomas (Dannie), Sarah (Macy), Jonathan (Hannah), Tyler (Shyann), Payton (Alex), and Mac; and grandchildren, Dean and Aubrie Crews. Doug was preceded in death by his parents, Sidney (2008) and Carolyn Baxter (2005) of Montgomery, AL.

Doug’s family will be holding a Celebration of Life service in his honor at Frazer Church on Friday, June 16th, 2023. Visitation will be 12:00-2:00 PM with service to follow starting at 2:00 PM. Pallbearers will include Dan Glossner, Steven Grant, Jonathan Wambles, Tyler Baxter, Justin Cunningham and Alex Freeman. Flowers will be accepted, or in honor of Doug’s memory, the family requests donations be made to the Alabama Sports Officials Foundation, the Montgomery Cancer Center or the LifeSouth Community Foundation where he regularly donated blood for over 25 years.

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A family and friends visitation for Douglas will be held Friday, June 16, 2023 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Frazer Church. A celebration of life funeral service will occur Friday, June 16, 2023 at 2:00 PM. A celebration of life graveside service will occur Friday, June 16, 2023 at Ala Heritage Cemetery.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Leak-MC.com for the Baxter family.