Daniel Herbert "Danny" Baxter

1941 - 2022

Daniel (Danny) Herbert Baxter

Stevensville -It is with extreme sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Daniel (Danny) Herbert Baxter on January 10, 2022. Dan was born in Livingston, MT on July 10, 1941. At a very young age he moved with his family to Hot Springs, MT where he was raised on the family farm and attended Elementary and High School. Dan was very interested in photography in High School and built his own darkroom to develop pictures at home. Dan was also proud to be one of the Founding Members of the National Honor Society at Hot Springs High School.

After graduating from High School in 1959, he joined the US Navy and served on the USS George K Mackenzie (DD-836) a Destroyer home port of Yokosuka, Japan. Dan later served on the USS Sylvania (AFS-2) a Combat Stores Ship home port of Norfolk, VA. Dan was trained to be a Fire Control Technician and he maintained, aimed, and fired the 5-inch 38 caliber guns onboard ship. After 6 years of active duty in the Navy, Dan was honorably discharged and joined the Navy Reserves, from which he later retired.

After Military Service Dan worked as an Electronic Technician for several companies at various locations. He was married to Roberta Brennan in New York in 1966 and they traveled back to Montana and on to Sunnyvale, CA for a short period of time before returning to Middle Island, NY. In 1976 they moved to Polson, MT with their three children and Dan continued Electronic Technician work for several years. In 1983 Dan moved to Kalispell, MT where he was employed with Semi-tool and lived alone for the next 30 years. Dan loved gardening and canning. He was especially proud of his pickled string beans.

In 2011 Dan rekindled a childhood romance with Ruth Patton Campbell and she would become the love of his life as they were married in January 2012 and they resided in Stevensville, MT.

Dan was preceded in death by his parents Marie and Ira Baxter, Hot Springs, MT; baby brother Frank Baxter, Hot Springs, MT; and sister Barbara Baxter Fay, Polson, MT. He is survived by his wife, Ruth Baxter, Stevensville, MT; his wonderful Aunt Lila Baxter, Simms, MT; brothers Samuel Baxter, Spokane Valley, WA, and George Baxter (Maggie), Liberty, NY; daughters Kathryn Chalfin, Tampa, FL, and Barbara Baxter, Corvallis, OR; and son Daniel Baxter (Gyna) and grandson Noah, Albany, OR and several nieces and nephews and cousins.

Dementia took its toll on Dan and in July 2019 he was moved to Pine Ridge Alzheimer's Special Care Center in Spokane Valley, WA to get the excellent care that he needed. He was still mobile and in reasonably good health until his final days. Dan always had a witty sense of humor and teased with a twinkle in his eye. He enjoyed playing practical jokes and good clean fun. Dan earned the nickname of Doughboy in a brotherly competition. He also earned a reputation at Pine Ridge for stealing apples and bacon from the nurse and whistling in the halls. Dan was a great husband, brother, father, uncle, and friend and a real pleasure to all. He will be dearly missed. You made us proud, Danny Boy, we love you. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.whitesittfuneralhome.com.