Randy Baxter

GEORGE WILLIAM RANDY BAXTER, 76, of Ward, Ark., passed from his earthly life to one of heavenly glory on Monday, January 15, 2024 after a valiant battle with brain cancer. He was born September 30, 1947 in Little Rock, Arkansas to Blanche Morris Baxter and George Washington Baxter. 

Randy was a proud graduate of Clarendon’s Class of 1967 where he forged lifelong friendships, loved and played all sports, and will forever remain a Mighty Lion. He attended UCA on a football scholarship and Henderson State University. He entered the Arkansas Army National Guard in 1968, later began working full time for the Guard at Camp Robinson, North Little Rock, Arkansas as a Federal Civilian. He retired from his Federal position in June 2002, and from the Guard in July 2003.  After retirement, he worked for the State Military Department for several years. As in high school and college, he made many lifelong friends through the Guard. 

Randy loved the Lord, was baptized in 1996, and a member of Cocklebur Baptist Church, Ward, Arkansas. He was a man of few words, but loved his family and friends deeply. 

Randy’s favorite activity was deer hunting, and he could sit in a cold stand for hours upon hours waiting on the perfect buck. In 2013 that wait finally paid off by killing the largest buck he’d ever seen, which was the largest killed in Lonoke County that year.  

After retirement, he pursued another passion becoming partners in thoroughbred racing, where he made more very close friends and truly enjoyed his time at the tracks visiting the horses, attending workouts, and races at Hot Springs, Louisiana, and Kentucky. 

He was preceded in death by his parents Blanche Sutterfield, George Baxter, and stepfather Arlis Sutterfield; and sister Melba Newman. His life was well lived and blessed, and is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Sharon Baxter; daughter Kimberly Walker of Mansfield, TX; grandchildren Kelsea Jackson, Kori Jackson, Paul “Trapper” Walker, and great grandsons Jack and Bruce Beamon, all of Mansfield, TX; Niece Lisa Davison and her family of Dardanelle, AR; Niece Leslie Clements and her family of Greenwood, AR; and Nephew A J Newman and his family of Russellville, AR. 

Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM, followed by his celebration of life at 11:00 AM, Thursday, January 25, 2024 at Smith North Little Rock Funeral Home.  Burial with full military honors will follow at Pinecrest Memorial Park, Alexander. 

Smith North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1921 Main Street, North Little Rock, AR  72114.  501-758-1170.