He was born and raised in Philadelphia and moved to Levittown in 1963. He was a member of Hope Lutheran Church in Levittown.
During the Korean conflict he enlisted in the Army and served as a Sargent for Company B 103rd Engineer Combat Battalion. After receiving his Honorable Discharge, he returned to Philadelphia and began working at SKF as a heavy equipment operator. There he found the love of his life, his beloved Annamae. They were married for 65 years.
He was employed for 40 years with Farruggio’s Trucking Company in Bristol Pa.
He devoted himself to his family and to making sure that children in the area would be safe at his home with his wife watching over them. His backyard was full of things for kids to do. From playing basketball, swimming, playing on swings, bouncing on a trampoline, whatever made them feel safe and happy he did for them.
With his wife beside him, they did work for charities and fund-raising. He was instrumental in helping the Franciscan Fathers obtain medical supplies they needed for their Amazon established hospital, church and school. He volunteered as the President of the St. Michael's Pee-Wee Football Association. He started the Pennsbury Parents Basketball Association with his dear friends Jack Jones and Dale Delise. They raised funds for equipment and a banquet at the end of each of their son’s basketball seasons. He also helped the Pennsbury Baseball team to raise funds for a new dugout, batting cages and eventually a new scoreboard. The biggest undertaking he took on, with the help of the football parents who were tradesmen, was to Light Falcon Field so they could finally hold night games at Pennsbury. He was always there for the children.
Many children and friends walked through the door at 22 Bald Cypress Lane and left as family. They continue to be a part of our extended family and always will be. He and his wife wanted it this way and they succeeded. He was a bigger than life man. Always doing, helping and caring for those he cherished.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Annamae, his beloved parents Mildred Pinnell (Joseph) and Uriah Baxter (Eleanor); his brother Hugh Baxter (Julia); sisters Delores Cartacki (Alan Sr.) and Carol Larson (Norman); his youngest son Curtis Baxter (Alice) and granddaughter Jamie Lynn Baxter.
He is survived by his loving daughter Deborah A Gallagher (George) and son Richard R. Baxter Jr. (Elizabeth), Alice Baxter (widow of Curtis), sister, Joanne Medernoch (Leo), nephew, Wayne Emme (Cathy), grandsons Justin Baxter (Jennifer), Daniel Baxter (Kelli) Christopher Baxter, granddaughters Erin Baxter, Ellen Bullene (Pat), two great-nephews, Wes Emme (Danielle) and Jeffrey Emme. He was also devoted to his great grandchildren. He will be sadly missed by his brother-in-law Alan Cartacki Sr. and many nieces, nephews and friends who became family.
Family and friends are invited to attend the viewing from 6:00pm to 9:00pm Tuesday, Nov 19th and from 10 until 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov 20th at the James J Dougherty Funeral Home, Inc., 2200 Trenton Road, Levittown where his funeral service will be held on Wednesday at 11 a.m. Interment will follow at Newtown Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers he requested donation in his memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital , 501 St Jude's Place, Memphis TN 38105.
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