Richard "Dick" Leo Baxter, Jr. Obituary (1949

Richard "Dick" Leo Baxter Jr., aka known by family as Buster, 75, was welcomed into the arms of his Lord and Savior on June 11, 2024. He was born on June 2, 1949, to Richard and June (Hougey) Baxter, in Yakima, Washington. Dick attended West Valley High School, where he was an accomplished wrestler, never losing a match. That is also where he met the love of his life, Nina Schell. It was love at first sight. They were married February 17,1968. Dick and Nina celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary this year. After their wedding, they traveled to Chicago, where Dick received his electrical degree from DeVry Tech. In 1977, Dick accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. From that time forward he held many jobs. In 1977, after he was saved, took a Berean School of Bible Correspondence course and received his theological degree. On January 8,1969, Dick and Nina welcomed their daughter, Renee, and on June 28, 1971, their son, Brice, arrived. Dick worked at many different jobs throughout his life. At age 11, he started working for his dad at Central Aircraft in Yakima, building airplanes. He then went on to wild land firefighting, being a police officer, corrections officer, police chaplain, home inspector, authored two books, all while doing construction for 50 years. The passion of his heart was pastoring and telling people about Jesus. There was not a place he entered where he did not share his love of the Lord. He spent 47 years as a pastor and evangelist. Traveling all over the country to preach and tell of the love of Christ. In 2020, when the churches closed, he opened his home to those who wanted to gather. Many were touched each day by his emails, texts, and Facebook posts, called nugget time. He also had many hobbies throughout the years. Scuba diving, golfing, riding motorcycles, and the most recent riding, his electric bike. He was always ready to try a new thing. One day, when he was around 65, he showed up with a hover board, which he promptly fell off. He loved adventure. Dick was also an avid dog lover and had many fur babies over the years. There wasn't one that he didn't spoil rotten. He was known to have his "baby girl" with him most of the time. Dick spent his final hours surrounded by family and being held by his best friend and love of his life. She spent countless hours telling him of all the good memories that they had made. Theirs was the love story of a lifetime and a legacy of love to our family. He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Jeff, and brother-in-law, George Nolan. He is survived by his wife, Nina, sister, Gail Nolan, sister-in-law, Alice Baxter, daughter, Renee (James) Hughes, son, Brice (Melissa) Baxter, son-in-love, Darren Smith, grandchildren, Melissa (Kris) Froehlich, Alicia (Joel) Nateras, Robin (Ryan) Maxey, Emily Portlyn, Jaiden Smith, Riley Smith, Kaleb (Lori) Baxter, Joshua (Samantha) Baxter, Tyler (Haley) Baxter, Seth (Kaitlyn) Baxter, Zachary Baxter, great-grandchildren, Jace (14), Orin (11), Eleah (9), Mateo (9), Essie (9), Teagan (7), Magnolia (5), Emmi (4), Carson (3), Willa (1), Aria (1), Brooks (1), and another baby girl on the way. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, June 29, 2024, at 10:00am, at Riverside Christian School. A Reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the I am Blessed Foundation, existing to provide support for missionaries, widows, and orphans. Donations may be paid online (iamblessed.foundation) or sent in care of Brookside Funeral Home (PO Box 1267, Moxee, WA 98936), who is caring for the family. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.brooksidefuneral.com