Horace George Baxter

Horace George Baxter, age 85, of Rudyard, Michigan, died unexpectedly Tuesday, October 27, 2015, in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. He was born October 18, 1930, in Redford, Michigan, to Edward and Hazel (Chadwick) Baxter. Horace’s family moved around Michigan until he was ten years old when they settled in Sault Ste. Marie. At age 17, Horace joined the 1437th Engineer Treadway Bridge Company of the Michigan National Guard and was activated in the service as soon as he graduated from Sault High in 1950. He trained in St. Louis, Washington, and then served in Sundi, Japan, and Puson and Chunchon, Korea. He completed his service in 1952. On August 7, 1952, Horace married Phyllis N. DeWitt in Rudyard and then attended the Moody Bible Institute for their summer program. Horace worked as a salesman at Montgomery Wards in Sault Ste. Marie for over 26 years before the store closed in 1979. He then started the furniture department at Erickson’s Appliance & Furniture and worked there for 15 years before retiring in 1994. After accepting the Lord as his personal savior at age seven, Horace was very active in church for his entire life. He served in nearly every capacity at the Rudyard Bible Church including, board member, Sunday school teacher, choir member, and youth director. He enjoyed a trip to the Holy Land in 1972. He and Phyllis considered part of their ministry welcoming servicemen from Kincheloe Air Force Base into their home for Sunday dinner and fellowship after church. Horace has also been an active member of the Gideons for many years and just recently joined the Christian Motorcyclist Association. Horace loved to golf. He golfed with the men from his Bible study, in the Munoscong Mixed League, and the Munsocong Senior Men’s League. He also enjoyed gardening, going to local basketball games, and watching the Lions, Tigers, and Pistons on television. He enjoyed relaxing outside on summer evenings “watching his garden grow.” Horace is survived by his wife, Phyllis; son, Terry (Deb) Baxter of Rudyard; daughter, Jan (Rick) Williams of Wayland, Michigan; grandsons, Adam (fiancé, Kari) Williams, and Cody (Jen) Williams; and great grandson, Bradley Williams. He is also survived by his sister, Joyce (Ed) DeWitt of Rudyard; and sisters-in-law, Gladys Baxter of Sault Ste. Marie, and Marge Baxter of California. Horace was preceded in death by two brothers, Sherwood and Douglas Baxter. Services will be held Saturday, October 31, at the Rudyard Bible Church, 11124 W. Main Street in Rudyard. Visitation will be held from 11:00 A.M. until 2:00 P.M. with the funeral service beginning at 2:00 P.M. Burial will follow the service at North Rudyard Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the local chapter of Gideons International, 12025 Haylake Road, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783.

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Horace George Baxter

October 18, 1930 - October 27, 2015