Funeral service for James Lewis Baxter, age 80, of Saltillo, Texas, will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 28, 2021. at Weaver Baptist Church with Bro. Tom Friday and Brock Mullino officiating. Interment will follow at Restland Cemetery in Dallas at 2:30 p.m. with Nick Baxter, Connor Baxter, Zach Lewis, Jordan Roos, Josh Reeder, Rick Long, and Derek McClure serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Harold McClure, Billy Gene Davidson, and the Table of
Knowledge at The Red Barn. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 PM on Tuesday, July 27, 2021, at Murray-Orwosky Funeral Home.
Mr. Baxter peacefully went to be with his Lord and Savior Sunday morning, July 25, 2021, at Christus Mother Frances-Tyler surrounded by loving family members.
James was born on June 11, 1941 in Hillsboro, Texas, to Lewis Baxter and Ethel Mae (Cacy) Baxter. He married Marilyn Whittle on December 12, 1974. in Dallas, Texas. James was a faithful member of Weaver Baptist Church. James’ love for God was most apparent in the way he loved Marilyn, his beloved wife for 47 years. In the most recent years, he had been Marilyn’s constant companion and advocate as she went through her cancer diagnosis and treatment. James never missed one doctor’s appointment. There were other family members who helped with transportation, but no
matter, James went anyway. The way James loved and cared for Marilyn was a testament to their strong dedicated love for each other. In addition to Marilyn, James is survived by sons, James Baxter, Jr., and wife Maureen of Waxahachie, Texas, and Tony Baxter and wife Jennifer of Longview, Texas; daughters, Belinda Harden and husband, Wes, of Carrollton, Texas; Neva Ball and husband, Larry, of Mabank, Texas; grandchildren, Nick Baxter, Connor Baxter, Zach Lewis and wife Megan, and Maurie Roos and husband Jordan; great-grandchildren, Rogan Roos, Channing Lewis, Hunter Lewis and Rhylea Lewis; and sisters, Betty Cotton and husband Kenneth, and Dorothy DeWeese.
James was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Kathy Baxter; sister, Ann Holt; brothers, Harold Baxter and Howard Baxter; and son-in-law, Lonnie Lewis.
Most people know James as a Master Electrician and owner of Baxter Electric. As a matter of fact, at the time James reached that level of mastery, he was the youngest Master Electrician in Dallas County. However, his talent goes much further than that. He didn’t mind — in fact — he quite enjoyed jumping in with both feet on new ventures. A case in point would be when he bought White Oak Grill (against Marilyn’s advice). After all, he had never owned a restaurant before, but he was confident he and Marilyn could learn the business and make it all work out. And, they did! James also decided to buy a couple of run-down commercial properties and refurbish them, and it wasn’t long before they were leased, thriving, and making the town look better. It is safe to say that if James got involved, he intended to do what was necessary to improve and make things better. Through the years, his business associates, especially customers, respected and appreciated his work ethic.
He loved his cows, chickens, and of course, his land. He was actually outside with his tractor and preparing to do necessary work in the pasture when he had his heart attack. The family thinks James was at pure peace and experiencing joy before he had his heart attack.
A lot of people do not realize that Neva is not his biological daughter because of the way he reared her, treated her, and cared for her. It was the same way he treated Belinda, James, Jr., and their families. It is safe to say that all his grandchildren would heartily agree his generosity and love stand out in their memory banks. He was such a huge part of not only his family’s lives, but his friends and neighbors will feel the void James is leaving. As recently as Friday, James bought breakfast for all his buddies and members of The Table of Knowledge at The Red Barn.
Memorials may be made to Weaver Baptist Church, 8749 Hwy 67, Saltillo, TX 75478.
Arrangements under the direction of Murray-Orwosky Funeral Home.
The online register can be signed at www.murrayorwosky.com
