Dr. George William Baxter Jr.

Dr. George William Baxter, Jr., 87, of Bristol, Tenn. passed away Wednesday, June 26, 2013 at Bristol Regional Medical Center. He was born in Mooresville, Tenn. on October 8, 1925, to George W. Baxter, Sr. and Lenora Long Baxter. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Martha Louise Baxter. The Navy sent George for a BA at Emory University to become a chaplain. He later earned a Master of Divinity from Yale University and a PhD in Psychology from George Peabody College at Vanderbilt University. He served as Associate Dean at Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Fla. from 1959 to 1966. He was Professor of Psychology at King College in Bristol, Tenn. from 1969 to 1986. Upon retirement, he was ordained in the United Methodist Church and served as pastor of Virginia Avenue UMC in Bristol, Tenn. He was a member of State Street UMC.George is survived by his wife of 54 years, Jane Farrar Baxter; two children, George William Baxter, III and wife Aileen Smith Baxter, and Elizabeth Lynne Smith and husband Michael Parker Smith; and two grandchildren, Colin William Baxter and Hannah Elizabeth Smith. The family will receive friends from 2:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 30 at State Street United Methodist Church. A memorial service will be conducted at 3:00 p.m. following visitation with Pastor Jeff Wright and Pastor Mark Hicks officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to the Archives & History Fund at State Street UMC, 300 W. Valley St., Bristol, VA 24201, or to local organ donation such as Mountain Region Donor Service, 110 Klm Dr., Johnson City, TN 37615. Condolences for the family may be sent and viewed by visiting www.BlevinsCares.com. Dr. Baxter and his family are in the care of Blevins Funeral & Cremation Services. (276) 669-6141.