Kenneth Dean Baxter, loving husband, dad, brother, grandfather, great grandfather went to heaven to join his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and his daughter Diane, on February 20, 2012 due to complications from a broken hip. Ken was born on May 22, 1928 in Langley, Washington to Grace and Arthur Baxter. Ken was the third son, joining his brothers, Virgil and Gene, and a few years later sister, Lois, was born. The family moved to Tulalip and had a dairy farm at Tulalip Bay. He attended Marysville Schools and, in the fall of 1945, Ken left school and joined the Merchant Marine and served in the Aleutian Islands with the Army Harbor Crafts.
After the service Ken received his Journeyman's certificate in auto mechanics. In 1946 Ken bought his first race car and joined Washington Roadster Racing Association. He raced until 1953 at Aurora in Seattle with his pit crew, Dale Cox, Mike Stretch, Ralph Brantner, and Murray Moulton, winning many races. Ken began his first auto repair garage in 1950 and was drafted into the Army during the Korean War in September 1950, serving stateside.
In August 1952 Ken married Joann Ulrich and they had four children, Diane, Kevin, Gary and Marianne, before moving to Marysville in 1959. Ken and his brother, Virgil, started Baxter's Auto Repair in 1957. In 1962 Ken started Marysville Glass Company on 1st Street, and in 1967, he added the RV business, Marysville Trailer Sales Supply and Repair.
Ken joined the Marysville Volunteer Fire Department in 1960 and served as Captain and Assistant Chief. In 1977 he resigned to serve the City of Marysville as council member and mayor pro-tem for 26 years. Ken helped organize Fire District #27 on Hat Island and served as Deputy Fire Chief and consultant. He also served on the Board of Directors of Marysville Fire District 12.
From 1956 to 1976, Ken served in the US Coast Guard Auxillary, as Vice Commander and other various positions, including fire safety. He was a member of the American Legion and Marysville Historical Society.
In 1978 Ken and Joann bought property on Hat Island and he started a septic systems installation and land clearing business. They enjoyed their vacation home and many friends on Hat Island.
They loved their vacations to Portugal, Panama Canal cruise, Hawaiian Islands cruise, especially their three month summer cruise to Ketchikan, Alaska on their beloved 45 foot troller, Sea Lark, and many boating trips with family and friends in the Puget Sound and Canadian waters.
Ken's favorite hobbies were fishing, hunting, gardening on his farm, and boating.
Survived by his loving wife, Joann: his Schnauzer companion, Grizzly; sons, Kevin and Gary (Jan); and his daughter, Marianne (Michael); 13 grandchildren; and nine great grandchildren.
Survived by Diane's family, Andrea (Jason) and their children, Dylan and Ryan; Amy; Steven (Amy) and their children, Stephanie, Brady, Sarah, and baby Caiden due in May; and Scott. Kevin's family, Shawna; James (Heather) and their children, Brenden and Hunter; Heather (Justin) and their daughter, K.C. Marie; daughter in law, Kathy Baxter. Gary and Jan's family, Joshua, David and Michael. Marianne and Michael's family Shaunnacy (Chris), RoryJac and KatyAnn. Also survived by his brothers, Virgil (Marie), Gene (Bonnie); and his sister, Lois (Conard) Brade; sister in law and brother in law, John and Vera Miller, and Roger Boden, and their extended families.
He was preceded in death by daughter, Diane (April 10, 2011); parents, Grace and Arthur Baxter; sister in law, Colleen; nephew, Ron; and in laws, Dick and Merle Boden.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Marysville Fire Fighters Association are greatly appreciated.
The family would like to sincerely thank Providence Hospital and their caring staff, and Marysville Fire Fighters for their help and caring in our time of need.
Public viewing has been changed to March 2, 2012 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. at the Church of Nazarene.
Celebration of Life is March 2, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. at Church of the Nazarene, 8240 64th St NE Marysville WA.
Further information: email KenJoan@comcast.net
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