Dennis Adam Baxter

Dennis Baxter spent 30 years in the service of his country. His flag was lowered for the last time on May 27, 2026. Born 25 February 1948 in Nampa, Idaho, he was the oldest of three children born to Robert Rolland Baxter and Marvel Pearl Faidley. 

His early life was on the move as his father was a miner in Nevada, Idaho and Utah. His father got a job with the government in 1956 and the family moved to Dugway Proving Ground. Dugway was a secret military base in remote Tooele County. The running joke was that Dugway wasn’t the end of the world but you could see it from there. His first job was at Dugway when he was nine years old. Before automation he was a pin boy at the bowling alley making the princely sum of 10 cents a game. His best night was taking home $5. Being athletic Dennis lettered in football, tennis, track and baseball. One year he placed 4th out of 250 runners in the 100at the BYU Invitational. 

He met his future wife Lanae in Jr. high school when her father got a job at Dugway. He literally married the girl next door. They were married and sealed in the Manti Temple on 6 September 1968 and to this union were born five children: Suzanne, Adam, Lisa, Cindy and Erik.

Dennis wanted to work in television and worked on a degree in communications. At one point he knew all the TV personalities on all the stations in Salt Lake and worked his way through college on the university TV stations at Utah State and BYU. He also worked on some national shows like the Wild World of Sports and the Jerry Lewis Telethon. Upon graduation the military made other plans for him. His first assignment turned into a 30-year career for him. Along with winning some awards Uncle Sam paid him to continue his education.

His church was also important to him. He was raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints, being baptized at the same time as his parents. He spent many years as a teacher, Cub Scout leader and served in Bishoprics and on the High Council twice.

Lanae was the type of person that could have been happy to live and die in the same town she was born in, but Dennis seemed to always be on the move. He graduated during the Vietnam War, and the military made it possible for him to visit all 50 states and 60 countries. They lived in five states (three times in Utah) and Japan. Moving into their current house was their 30th move.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Don.

He is survived by His wife Lanae, a daughter Suzanne (Gary) Capron of Boise, Idaho, a son Adam (Monica) Baxter of Syracuse, Utah, a daughter Lisa (Shane) Lewis of Kaysville, Utah, a daughter Cindy (Ruben) Gutierrez of Ogden Utah, and son Erik (Loree) Baxter of West Haven, Utah. His sister Diane (Ron) McPeak of Boise, Idaho. He also leaves behind 15 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren

There will be a viewing for family and friends on June 8, 2026, from 6-8 PM at the Russon Mortuary & Crematorium, 1941 N Main St, Farmington. On Tuesday, June 9, 2026, there will be a viewing at 9:30 AM at Havenwood Ward, 235 North Bonneville Lane in Kaysville, with the funeral starting at 11 AM. Interment will follow at the Kaysville Cemetery, then return to the church for a family luncheon.