Victor Richard (Dick) Baxter-Jones

Mr. Victor Richard (Dick) Baxter-Jones, age 95, passed away on Friday, Jan. 31, 2014, after a brief stay at Bell Minor Nursing Home following a period of declining health.
Mr. Baxter-Jones was born on June 7, 1918, in Wells, Somerset in England. He attended school in both Scotland and England then joined the Royal Air Force during World War II becoming a pilot. He also flew for the Air Transport Auxiliary as a Ferry Pilot. He flew many different types of planes to wherever they were needed during the war. He loved to fly and later to tell the tales of his flying days to anyone who would listen. Most recently in his declining health he enjoyed visits from a couple of his pilot buddies who would listen intently to his faltering speech and declining memories. Thank you John and Joe. His favorite plane to fly was the Spitfire.
Mr. Baxter-Jones was preceded in death by his father, Capt. Victor Charles Baxter-Jones and mother, Winn Bown Baxter-Jones; wife of 65 years, Trudy Baxter-Jones; brother, Gregory Paul Baxter-Jones; granddaughter, Kristi Lynn Pruisner; nephew, Roger Baxter-Jones; and sister-in-law, Pip Baxter-Jones. Mr. Baxter-Jones also became the senior concierge at Maxim's de Paris in Palm Springs, Calif. He was loved by all the hotel guests for his English appearance, accent and manners. When World War II ended Mr. Baxter-Jones worked for DeHavilland Aircraft Company, now British Aerospace. This career took him from England to the United States in 1957. He lived in Rockford, Ill., Plymouth, Mich., San Antonio, Texas, and Palm Springs, Calif., until moving to Georgia in 1992. He loved the friendly people and beauty of the state of Georgia especially the birds, the wildlife and the climate. He met the love of his life, Trudy at a flying club in England at the beginning of World War II. She had learned to fly and had made a solo flight before they married. He felt that it was too dangerous for a woman to fly during the war so she never flew again. Mr. Baxter-Jones wished to be cremated and his ashes returned to his birthplace, in Wells, Somerset, England. A memorial service will be performed at a later date in his beloved Wells Cathedral.
Mr. Baxter-Jones is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Sue and Steve McMillian, Gainesville; granddaughter and husband, Shea Jaworski, North Little Rock, Ark.; great-grandson and great-granddaughter, Vincent and Anna Jaworski; and his niece, Penelope Baxter-Jones, Hampshire, England.
Visitation for friends and family will be between 6-8 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2014, at Memorial Park Funeral Home, 2030 Memorial Park Road, Gainesville, GA 30504.
Memorial Park Funeral Home, 2030 Memorial Park Road, Gainesville, GA 30504, is in charge of arrangements.
Send online condolences to www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com.