James "Jr" Robert Baxter

James Robert (J.R.) Baxter departed from this life to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on July 1, 2018. He was born on August 23, 1924 in Holdenville, Oklahoma to parents Carl and Grace Baxter. He was the youngest of 2 sons. He attended Holdenville high school from which he graduated in the spring of 1942. Right after graduation, J.R enlisted in the army and was sent to Fort Sill, Oklahoma for basic training. After basic training, he was sent to Westbury England in 1943 as a part of the 44th infantry division where he was a part of the D-Day Invasion force. He landed on Utah beach after the initial invasion and continued to follow and supply the fighting infantry all through the countries of Belgium, Luxemburg, France and Holland. After the war, he was discharged in 1945, but later reenlisted during the Korean War. In 1951, he was commissioned as an officer and remained in the Army Reserves until his retirement in 1979 where he reached the rank of Colonel.

After WW2, he returned to Holdenville where he met and married Betty Louise Clark in 1949. Together, they raised 2 sons and a daughter. J.R. worked in a variety of jobs until he landed a sales position with OG&E in 1954. He was very proud to be associated with OG&E and it would be the last company to employee him. He was located primarily in the Sapulpa and Oklahoma City offices until his retirement after 33 years of service.

After retirement, J.R. enjoyed piloting his airplane around the state and raising cattle on his ranch in the Newcastle area. He also was an active and faithful member of Grace United Methodist and Chapel Hill United Methodist churches in Oklahoma City. He was also a 32 degree Mason.

J.R. was preceded in death by his wife Betty and his son Mark. He is survived by daughter Sharon Pregler and husband Jim Pregler of Edmond; son Robert Baxter and wife Cathy Baxter of Midwest City; as well as 6 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday morning, July 5, 2018 at 10:00 am at Guardian West Chapel. Burial will be at Holdenville Oklahoma cemetery.

The family wishes to express their gratitude to the staff of Integris Hospital and Hospice House for the care he received in his last days.