THOMAS "TOM" BAXTER

Thomas "Tom" Baxter passed away August 2, 2015. Tom was born in Bellingham, WA September 6, 1938 to John and Evelyn Baxter, grew up in Mt. Vernon, WA and married Janice Greer June 15, 1968.

He is survived by wife Janice "Jay"; daughter Jill Baxter; son Matthew (Niguel) Baxter, grandsons Preston, Grant and Greyson; sister Sharon Arcari, nephew Mark Szeghy, niece Kim Adams; a very special person who was like a daughter to him Christine Brenner and extended family.

He graduated from Mt. Vernon High School in 1956 where he played center on the football team, attended Skagit Valley Junior College and served in the Air National Guard. After various positions of employment, he was hired by Cole's Plant Soil in 1968 and became the "Merchant of Earth" when he purchased the company July 17, 1970.

With Matthew on the way, he, Jay and Jill moved to Bellevue's Newport Hills in 1972. They bought a cabin in April 1977, located on the Greenwater River, and expanded its size in 1980 after a late night purchase of an antique woodstove. The cabin became a gathering place for family and friends.

Tom and Jay sold "The Dirt Plant" in 1990 and began their life as RV'ers . . . joining the Great America RV Club in 1994. Driving approximately 275,000 miles, Tom and Jay enjoyed touring 49 states, ALL of the Canadian Provinces and parts of Mexico. Motorhomes "Old Blue" and "Barney" allowed them to see North America, make hundreds of new friends and spend extended time with Matt and his family in California.

Tom was known for his ever present smile, distinctive laugh, willingness to help others, love of animals and generally appropriate humor.

His hobbies were golfing with friends, sharing what his garden produced, touring wineries with fellow travelers, and offering wine to . . . anyone willing to join him. "Wine is constant proof that God loves us and likes to see us Happy". His love of gardening, which he shared with daughter Jill, came from the time he spent cultivating roses with his parents at their home in Mt. Vernon.

Memorial Services will be held Wednesday August 26th at 1:00 PM at St. Andrews Lutheran Church, 2650 148th Ave. SE, Bellevue, WA.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the two following: Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, 825 Eastlake Ave. E, P.O. Box 19023 Seattle, WA 98109-1023 https://secure.seattlecca.org/ - Tribute Information: Type- "memorial". First Name: "Tom", Last Name: "Baxter". Or Seattle K-9 Unit Donation via PayPal on website: Http:// www.retiredpolicedogs.com or Checks can be mailed to: Retired Seattle Police Canine Fund, P.O. Box 84423 Seattle, WA 98124-5726