The Life of James Baxter
James Fletcher Baxter
Teacher, father, author, Marine and a life well lived.
James Fletcher Baxter was born on January 25, 1925 in Santa Paula, California. He passed quietly and without pain in the early hours of July 5, 2012 at the Texas State Veterans Home in Bonham, Texas. He was 87.
He was raised in Santa Monica, California by his mother Martha who he referred to as his greatest hero. His brothers Howard Baxter and Floyd Carter were the other great influences of his early life. Growing up in the heart of the Depression, he went to work at an early age as a paperboy for Santa Monica Outlook for many years and met many of his life-long friends. He attended Santa Monica High School where he was a cartoonist on the school paper and played football. He graduated from Los Angeles State in 1957 with Bachelor Degree in Elementary Education.
He served in the US Marine Corps during WWII from 1943 to 1946 including combat in Saipan and Okinawa with the First Marine Division. He was part of the S-2 Battalion Intelligence during post-war occupation in Nagasaki, Japan. While there, he helped oversee Japan's first free election that included the right for women to vote.
After joining the active reserves in 1950, the Korean War broke out and he became a valued war veteran and assigned as a Rifle Squad Leader on the Korean War front. He was part of the Inchon landing and was later wounded in fierce combat in downtown Seoul. He received numerous honors for his military service including the Letter of Commendation and Valor Medals; and the Purple Heart.
After the Korean War, he served as a member of Catalina Island Police Department in the city of Avalon.
He married Carol Beatrice Chalmers in 1951 and they had four children, Mark, Matthew, Karen and Kurt. He is survived by six grandchildren including Barrett, Matthew, Amanda, Connor, Micah and Kellie.
He taught 5th grade (which he always considered the best age to teach) for over 30 years, primarily at Melvin Avenue Elementary School in Reseda, CA. He was awarded Freedoms Foundation Classroom Teacher Medal in 1967 and the Life Member PTA Award (Public, Private, and Christian Schools). He was President of Professional Education of Los Angeles, California for three years where he fought for student's rights against teacher unions.
In his later years, he enjoyed working as a Hollywood movie extra for many movies including his big moment in the movie, "Dave", playing a presidential cabinet member. Throughout his life he has done lay missionary work in Central America, Russia, Israel and South Korea. He also taught Sunday school for 30 years and Adult School for 10 years. And he also taught Adult Observation Drawing and Oil Painting courses.
He was an accomplished writer of numerous published writings and articles and author of civic workbook, "The American Way of Life". He was most passionate about his message and article: "The Human Paradigm: Earth's Choicemaker".
His favorite books were the Holy Bible and non-fiction. His interests were in Jesus, Apologetics, Bible, History, Philosophy, Government, Civics, Creative Process, Art, Science, Character, Liberty, Freedom, Creation, Individual Value, America and Israel. His favorite thinkers were Thomas Jefferson and Isaac Newton. He loved music, favorites were Frank Sinatra, Kenny G, Jack Jones, and the BJ Thomas hit "Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head" was his most favorite song.
James Baxter Family
Mother, Martha Baxter (d. 1987) Daughter, Karen Noel Baxter Brother, Floyd Carter (d. 2006) Son, Kurt Damon Baxter Brother, Howard Baxter (d. 2011) Grandson, Barrett James Pattillo Wife, Carol Baxter (d. 1985) Grandson, Matthew Mark Baxter Wife, Alberta Baxter (d. 2010) Granddaughter, Amanda Carol Wilson Son, Mark Dana Baxter (d. 1969) Grandson, Connor Baxter Skific Son, Matthew Kirk Baxter (d. 1985) Grandson, Micah James Baxter Granddaughter, Kellie Danica Skific
