Warren Ernest Baxter

A celebration of life with military honors for Warren Ernest Baxter will be held Saturday, July 26, 2008, at 2:30 p.m. at Lakeview Cemetery. An open house at the Sutton residence will follow the ceremony. Directions will be given at service.

Warren passed away at home on June 22, 2008, surrounded by his loving family after battling kidney cancer for two years.

He was cared for by his family, Bonner County General Hospital physicians Dr. Meulenberg, Dr. Leavitt, and Dr. Holman.

In his last days he was surrounded by his family and attended to by Bonner County Hospice. He will truly be missed by all of those whose lives he touched.

Baxter was born July 24, 1935, in Medford, Ore., to Katherine and Ernest Baxter.

He graduated in June 1953 from Sir Francis Drake High School in Mann County, Calif. On July 14, 1953, he joined the United States Navy where he served during the Korean War. Stationed in Guam, Baxter served as an airman photographer for a year and was given an honorable discharge on July 23, 1956,from Fasron Eight, NAS, Alameda, Calif.

He met his wife, Diane, on a blind date in 1956 at Sweet's Ballroom in Oakland, Calif.

His buddy set up the date, telling Baxter, “She was as wide as she was tall.” When Baxter saw her he said he was pleasantly surprised. She was nothing like his friend said.

They fell in love and eloped Dec. 19, 1956, in San Rafeal, Calif.

They both had a great love for children, which led to a family of seven strong. Warren and Diane were foster parents for 35 years and day care providers for four years. They also owned and operated several family businesses.

Baxter was a private pilot and had a great love of airplanes. He enjoyed joking with people and having his funny hats and T-shirts for people to laugh at. He loved the outdoors, fishing, boating, and bonfires with Sangria. He loved spending time with his family playing board games, bowling, watching old movies and listening to country music.

He retired Oct. 4, 1997, from Circuit City in California, moved to Sandpoint in 1997, followed by his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife Diane of almost 52 years and their 7 children, Deborah Fink, Linda Baxter, Sheryl Hawks (Greg), Sabrina Baxter-Thrower (Tad) of California, Lisa Baxter (Norman Dalthorp), Justin Baxter and Sara Baxter; 12 grandchildren,Tammy Buchmiller (Mike Sherbon), Tiffany Fly (Tony) of North Dakota, Tarrah Tarbert (Shyloah), Heather Sutton (Jason), Brenda Townsend (Mike), Ashley and Matthew Hawks, Brittany Hargis-Baxter, Blake Baxter, Sierra Baxter, Damian Dalthorp and Zander Baxter; 16 great-grandchildren, Brandon Rhodes, Breanna and Brent Buchmiller, Xylan, Canya, Dillion and Zelda Fly, Brooklynn, Zarriah, Orianna, and Belle Tarbert, Alexis and Alyssa Sutton, Jorden Townsend, Hannah and Cameron Epstein (twins), and two great-grandchildren on the way.

He also is survived by California relatives, sisters-in-law, Yvonne Venaas (Jerry) and Dolores Huk (John); brother-in-law, Jerry Oschegger (Nancy); nieces, Melanie Sohn,Tami Dunn,Cathy McCarthy, Kelly Oschegger and Courtney Oschegger; nephews, John Huk, Michael Huk and extended family; cousins, Shirley Anderson (Al) and family of California, and Susan Couto (Jim) and family of Ohio.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Katherine, and his brother, Clay.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to assist with the cost of Warren's cancer treatment. If interested, you may do so at the Bank of America, Sandpoint branch, care of Linda Baxter, 405 N. Second Ave., Sandpoint, ID 84864.

Please sign Warren's online guest book at www.lakeviewfuneral.com.