Ray Baxter

Edsel "Ray" Baxter, 84, of Terreton, passed away Sunday, July 29, 2012, at his home.

He was born May 27, 1928, in Rigby to Harry Luther Baxter and Ada Minerva Heyrend. Ray attend- ed school in Rigby, where he graduated from Rigby High School.

He married LaVona Thueson on June 11, 1947, in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. Together they raised their family of five.

Ray and Lavona farmed east of Rigby in the Clark area for 19 years. With the help of his brothers-in-law, Ray and LaVona then decided to start a tire business in the Rexburg area in 1968, where they lived, worked and raised their family for 24 years. Ray retired and sold the business in 1986. Soon after, in 1992, they moved to Terreton to be close to family.

Ray and LaVona were a valuable asset in their son's business and could often be seen transporting tires.

He was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where he was always available to give service and especially a good time; many loved his kind nature. Ray and LaVona served two missions together in the Nauvoo, Ill., area.

Family was the joy of his life, which included traveling and sharing time and experiences with family and grandchildren. Ray loves his family, and they love and will miss him for this short time.

Ray is survived by his wife, LaVona T. Baxter of Terreton; a daughter, Annette (Brad) Eddins of Dubois; and sons, Ron (Dianne) Baxter of Terreton and Ross (Holly) Baxter of Rigby; 14 grandchildren; and 25 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by their two sons, Danny and Donnie; his parents; his sister, Cleopa Baxter Tobin; and two half brothers, Willard and Kenneth Baxter.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 2, at the Terreton LDS Stake Center, 1300 E. 1500 North, with Bishop Shaun Grover officiating. The family will visit with friends and family from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at Eckersell Funeral Home, 101 W. Main St. in Rigby, and from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Thursday prior to the funeral service at the Terreton Stake Center. Burial will be in Rigby Pioneer Cemetery under the direction of Eckersell Funeral Home in Rigby.

Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.eckersellfuneralhome.com.