Hiram J. ‘Hi’ Baxter, Jr. 1923-2011
GREAT BEND — Hiram J. ‘Hi’ Baxter, Jr., 87, died May 9 at Woodhaven Care Center, Ellinwood.
He was born May 28, 1923 at Larned, the son of Hiram Henry and Katherine ‘Mae’ (Simmons) Baxter.
Mr. Baxter was a Great Bend resident since 1947. He married Patricia Ida Mae Younkin January 25, 1947 at Great Bend. He was a letter carrier for the United States Postal Service for 32 years and was a mailman for 10 years at Barton Community College following his retirement from the USPS.
He was a World War II veteran serving as a medical corpsman with the United States Navy and the United States Marine Corps.
He was a member of First United Methodist Church and American Legion Argonne Post 180, Great Bend; and past president of Great Bend Evening Lions Club and was business manager for the Lions State Convention. The Sublette High School graduate was a member of the 1941 Class B State Championship basketball team. He enjoyed big band dances, yard work, walking, being outside and vacationing in the mountains. He always made his family a priority.
Survivors include his wife, Patricia Ida Mae Baxter, of the home; three sons, Jeffrey Lynn Baxter and wife, Connie, Leavenworth; Charles Joseph Baxter and wife, Karen, Bonner Springs; Alan Eric Baxter, Great Bend; two daughters, Nancy Kathryn Baxter, Great Bend; Lori Anne Underwood and husband, Jeff, Great Bend; a brother, Bill Baxter and wife, Sarah, of Canon City, Colo; 13 grandchildren: Dustin Baxter, Tara Talley and husband, Trent; Olivia Baxter, David Baxter, Jonathan Baxter, Lindsay Baxter, Megan Berger and husband, Chris; Patrick Underwood and wife, MaKenna, Kelly Underwood, Chelsea Underwood, Robbie Underwood, AnnaLeesha Baxter, Addison Baxter; and a great-grandchild: Hunter Talley.
He was preceded in death by his father, Hiram Baxter; his mother and step-father, Fred and Katherine ‘Mae’ Higgins; two sisters, Mary LaVonne ‘Bonnie’ Batchman and Benita Doherty; and a grandson, Jordan Lance Baxter.
A funeral service is scheduled at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 12 at the First United Methodist Church, Great Bend, with officiant The Reverend Tom Sheldon. Interment will be at Great Bend Cemetery with military rites by United States Marine Corps.
Visitation is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., with the family receiving friends from 5 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, May 11 at the Bryant Funeral Home. Memorials can be sent to the First United Methodist Church, in care of Bryant Funeral Home
Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net.

Funeral arrangements provided by *
Bryant Funeral Home
1425 Patton Road
Great Bend, KS, 67530
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, May 10, 2011