Richard P. Baxter-Barnes

Richard P. Baxter-Barnes, age 75, of Ferry, MI and Montague, MI, passed away on Tuesday, January 6th, 2026, following a brief illness.

Rick was born March 29th, 1950, to the late George F. and Ruth E. (Miller) Baxter of Ferry, MI. Rick was the fifth of six children, along with three grandchildren that Ruth raised. Rick graduated from Hesperia High School and later attended Muskegon Community College. He worked in various roles throughout his life, but most notably for 30 years as a bus driver and janitor for Shelby Public Schools. He also most recently enjoyed working for some time for Montague Public Schools as a bus and recess aide.

Rick found joy in helping and cooking for others, he was always eager to help the people around him no matter their age or circumstances. Rick spent over 30 years as a volunteer firefighter for Ferry Township, and he also volunteered for over 25 years for the Ferry Township Ghost Town Day, the Oceana County Goodfellows, the Lakeshore Community Hospital Cancer support group, and the Oceana County Relay for Life. You could usually find Rick cooking or baking for community functions like his church's sunrise service or the Memorial Day dinner. He was always eager to donate his famous bubble loaf, bread, or cookies to just about every bake sale he knew about. You could also find him working numerous pancake breakfasts making his eggless omelets or flipping flapjacks. He was also known for making soups and desserts for community or church soup suppers.

Richard is survived by Kathy Spoors, Lisa (Tim) Walters, Kim (Rick Whelpley) Ohman, sister-in-law Kathy (Mike) Fourman, and aunt Margaret Ritcher and his beloved dog Jack. Richard is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews, cousins and close friends, including Keith and Robin Fessenden. Richard was preceded in death by his husband Robert "Bob" Barnes in 2024, his parents, his sister Ruth "Bing" Lewis, Cheryl "Cheri" (Bruce) Oros, and Michelle Kreigh. His brothers Lawrence "Larry" Baxter and George Ohman. He was also preceded in death by his half-brother George (Ruby) Baxter and half-sister Elizabeth "Betty" (Stanley) Walker.

A Memorial Service will be held for Rick at 2:00 PM on Sunday, January 25, 2026, at Hesperia United Methodist Church, 187 E South Ave, Hesperia, MI, 49421. Arrangements have been entrusted to The Whitehall Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 816 S. Mears Ave, Whitehall, MI, 49461.