Marshall Nathaniel "Nat" Baxter Jr.

Marshall Nathaniel "Nat" Baxter, Jr. lived a full century. Born the lone son with three sisters, he came to Memphis from Munford, Tennessee, on a mule-pulled wagon. He joined the Navy in 1941 as an aircraft mechanic and was chosen for the first flight class of enlisted men, but WWII ended before he got his wings and retired as a Master Chief Petty Officer.

From maintenance to Executive Director, Nat worked at the Memphis Park Commission for 25 Years. He oversaw the construction of Mud Island, the Liberty Bowl, Liberty Land and several exhibits at the Memphis Zoo. Nat started Merry Christmas Memphis, the City's first desegregated parade after the assassination of Dr. King, and later as a MIFA volunteer, founded Starry Nights at Shelby Farms Park. After overseeing construction of Shelby Showplace Arena, he retired as Vice President of the Coca-Cola Bottling Company.

Nat Baxter loved playing golf, volunteering and was a devoted member of the Episcopal Church.

He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Martha H. Baxter, and two sons, Marshall Nathaniel Baxter, II, and Charles Edward Baxter. He is survived by his son Mark Moore Baxter (Laura); grandchildren, Cory High Williamson (Brady), Ralph High Jr. (Bree), Seth High, Christopher Baxter (Candice), Kimberly Baxter Domke (Andrew), Megan Baxter Troutt (Kyle), and John Baxter; and eleven great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held September 10, at 1 p.m. at the West Tennessee Veterans Cemetery.

Please send any contributions made on his behalf to the Church Health Clinic.