George Gage Baxter

Published 9:33 am Wednesday, February 24, 2016

PHILADELPHIA — Funeral services for Mr. George Gage Baxter are 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2016, at John E. Stephens Chapel with the Rev. Creighton White officiating. Interment will be at Stallo Cemetery.

Mr. Baxter passed on to his heavenly home on Sunday, Feb. 21, 2016.

He passed away peacefully at home in the Stallo community where he had lived most of his 95 years.

He was born to John Baxter and Annie Ruth Snow Baxter on Oct. 24, 1920. He went to work in California during the Great Depression and found work at Lockheed. He then joined the U.S. Air Force and served in the Pacific Islands, where he survived Halsey’s typhoon on a LST. He was awarded the Bronze Star.

He spent 35 years on the Mississippi River serving as a relief captain on the Lipcomb and retired as captain of the dredge Jadwin for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

After retirement, he served as supervisor for District 5 in Neshoba County from 1986 through 1992. He was a member of the V.F.W. and American Legion, and his hobbies include hunting, fishing, watching old westerns and reading.

His faithful community and his family have lost a great and Godly man. He was a wonderful son, husband, daddy, papaw and great-grandfather. He was a deacon at Stallo Methodist Church where he served faithfully for 58 years.

Mr. Baxter was preceded in death by his father and mother; his wife of 58 years, Evelyn McCullough Baxter; a son, Butch Baxter; a brother, Barnette Baxter; and son-in-law, Max Snow.

He is survived by daughters, Ann Snow of Philadelphia, Diane Robinson (Jimmy) of Philadelphia and Joyce Wells of Vicksburg; nephew, Johnny Baxter (Gayle) of Hattiesburg; nine  grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Dr. J.T. McCullough (George Ann) of Ocean Springs; and several other nieces and nephews.

Special thanks to his caregiver, Hope Townsend, who was with him for seven years, and to Quality Hospice for their care and dedication.

Pallbearers are Tommy Chassion, Michael Chassion, Darrell Snow, Wade Massey, Colby Quinn Snow, David Snow, John Clark, Tom Parker, Nell Parker, Kenny Price, John Damon Snow and Danny Snow.