Richard LeRoy Baxter
April 19, 1928 — March 19, 2008
Richard LeRoy Baxter, age 79, died Wednesday, March 19, 2008 at Methodist Hospital in Omaha.
Richard was born in Palisade to Arlie J. and Margaret E. (West) on April 19, 1928. He graduated from Palisade Public School in 1946.
He married Leona E. Potthoff on June 1, 1951 in Palisade. To this union five children were born.
He was in the US Navy from 1946 - 1948, and then he went on to the Navy Reserves for 10 years.
He was a member of the Palisade United Methodist Church. He was initiated into the Masons on September 12, 1961. He became a member of McCook Lodge No. 135 A.F. and A.M. by consolidation in January 2007. He was a member of all the York Rite Bodies at McCook, Scottish Rite, Valley of Hastings, at Hastings, Tehama Temple Mystic Nobles of the Shrine at Hastings, and the Eureka Chapter, No. 86 Order of the Eastern Star at McCook. Past Master of the Palisade Masonic Lodge No. 216 A.F. and A.M.; past Patron of Palisade Chapter No. 318 Order of the Eastern Star. He was a Palisade volunteer fireman 26 years, served as fire chief 12 years, then on the Rural Fire Board 14 years. Member of the Palisade Village Board and Village Clerk for 12 years. He was a member of the American Legion Post 318 and American Vets post 14, Hester Home Board and many other community involvements.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Arlie and Margaret; brothers-in-law, Paul Schluckebier and Robert Potthoff.
He is survived by his wife and children, Richard "Alan" Baxter of Palisade, Beverly Green and husband, Mike of McCook, James Baxter of Trenton, Gary Baxter of Palisade and Linda Buck and husband, David of Aurora, CO; brother, Viron Baxter and wife, Mildred of Palisade; sisters, Rosalie Schluckebier of Jackson, MI, Margaret "Kay" Green and husband, Robert of Yuma, AZ; brothers-in-law, Frank Potthoff and wife, Betty of Palisade, Henry Potthoff and wife, Janice of Carroll, Iowa; 11 grandchildren, Dennis, Randy, Cassandra, James, Rebecca, Matthew, Evan, Andrew, Travis, Nicole, and Valdemars; six great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorials were to be given in his name.
Graveside inurnment services were held Friday, June 13, 2008, 4:00 p.m. at the Palisade Cemetery.
Carpenter Breland Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.