Dan Michael Baxley

Born December 26, 1940, in Duncan, Oklahoma, to Dempsey Wayne and Mary Merle Baxley, Dan was the youngest of three boys. In 1945, the Baxley family moved to Arizona, first to Valley Farms and later to Coolidge, where Dan graduated from Coolidge High School in 1958 .

He attended Abilene Christian University before returning home after the death of his brother, Donald Eugene. At age 20, Dan began his career with the Arizona Highway Department as an Engineer-in-Training, helping survey the future Interstate 17. It was there he met his future wife, Kay, who worked as a keypunch operator. The two married on December 28, 1962, beginning a 62-year partnership filled with love, laughter, and shared purpose.

After a brief time in California, Dan and Kay settled in Tempe, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Education from Arizona State University in 1965. He began teaching in Tempe and Chandler, developing reading programs that encouraged children to explore books beyond the classroom. He went on to earn his Master’s in 1970 and Doctor of Education in 1972 from ASU.

Dan’s 30-year career in higher education included teaching and leadership roles at the University of Washington, University of Nevada–Las Vegas, Western New Mexico University, Illinois State University, and College of the Desert in California, where he served as Interim President and Vice President of Instruction before retiring in 2004. His work and research in reading education inspired countless teachers and students across the country.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Dan remained deeply involved in community service. He served on the California Water Board, Cave Creek Planning Commission, and Arizona Public Service Retirement Board, and was an active member of the Republican Party, often hosting “garden party” fundraisers and community discussions at his home.

Dan also had an entrepreneurial spirit and a lifelong love of building and design. He worked with his sons on home construction projects, owned small businesses in Arizona, New Mexico, and California, and enjoyed landscape architecture, fly-fishing, and traveling. Some of his fondest memories were picnics and road trips with his wife, designing and building with his sons, floating on the Madison River with his children and grandchildren and on “What Made Me, Me” family history trips with his daughter.

Dan is survived by his wife Kay Baxley; his son Mike (Joy) of Glendale, AZ and their sons Daniel and Joe; step-children: Russel, Vincent, Bryant and Olivia. His son Don (Candace) of Phoenix, AZ; and his children Jacob and Katelyn; step-children Alysia, Anthony and Giovanni. His daughter Michelle (Mike) of Glendale, AZ and their children Sydney and Ryan; step-children Shauna and Nick.

He is also survived by his brother Joe Baxley of Cottonwood, AZ; nephews Jack and Jim; and niece Cheryl. He was preceded in death by his parents Wayne and Merle Baxley, brother Donald Eugene, and nephews Kenny and Timmy.

Dan will be remembered for his intellect, generosity, and devotion to family and community. His legacy lives on through the countless lives he touched as a teacher, mentor, and friend.

Services will be held Saturday, November 15th at 11am at Phoenix Memorial Park and Mortuary in Phoenix. Dan will be buried at Double Butte Cemetery in Tempe in a private ceremony. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to LiteracyConnects.org