Ray Baxter

Ray passed away peacefully in Temecula  California on the evening of Friday, December 30^th, 2022.  He was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on December 16^th, 1928 to Willard Cooper Baxter and Irma Norr Baxter.  He married Janis Cook on June 14^th, 1951; their marriage was later solemnized in the St. George LDS Temple.  Ray attended West High School (years later he was given a diploma) and in 1945, at age 16, he left school and home and joined the Merchant Marine.  He later joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1947 and proudly served during the Korean War.  He spent 30 years with the FAA in Air Traffic Control in Salt Lake City, then in San Diego, then finally at Miramar Naval Air Station.  After retiring from the FAA he worked for LOGICON in San Diego as a member of their technical staff.  After 12 years with LOGICON he retired again and moved to Temecula, California where he spent his remaining years with his beloved wife Janis.  He traveled with his wife (and sometimes his children) to many countries and US states.  He was a lifelong member of the LDS church and served in many callings.  He enjoyed the years that he shared with his wife performing ordinance work in the San Diego Temple.  Ray was the sole survivor in his family and was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and a sister.  He is survived by his eternal wife Janis, daughter Kristy (Larry) Demarah in Bonsall, California, daughter Kim (Bob) Hillis in Ivins, Utah, son Perris Baxter (Kathleen) in Lakeside, California, 4 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.  Services will be held at the Russon Brothers Mortuary, 1585 West 300 South Syracuse, Utah on Tuesday, January 24^th at 2 PM, with graveside dedication to be determined as weather permits. 

Services will be streamed live on the Russon Mortuary & Crematory Facebook page and on this obituary page.  The live stream will begin about 10-15 minutes prior to the service and will be posted below.