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Gary Laverne Baxter, known to some as “Flash,” to some as “Bub,” and to others as “Papa,” never could sit still. Now, he no longer has to. After nearly 80 years of faithful service to his family, his businesses, his community and his church, on Feb. 5, 2023, Gary died peacefully at home and went to join his beloved Pat in heaven.
Gary was born and raised in Powell, and though he lived briefly in other places, it was always his home. Gary was born on April 12, 1943, to Vern and Gwen (Jacobs) Baxter. He graduated from Powell High School in 1961, where he made the most of his 5-foot-7-inch frame, playing football and basketball, and running track.
Shortly after graduating high school, Gary married Bertha (“Bert”) Wright, also of Powell. Although they eventually divorced, the couple had three sons, Mitch, Shan and Chad.
Gary later went to work running the motor pool at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. There, through a friend, he was introduced to a young woman named Pat Rushmer. The two fell in love, married on Sept. 3, 1967, and remained the centers of one another’s lives until Pat’s passing in 2021.
While working at the Air Force Academy, Gary was briefly assigned (as a civilian employee) to Vietnam. He was in Vietnam for exactly 99 days, during which time he narrowly escaped death at least twice. From Vietnam, Gary wrote to Pat and proposed that they leave Colorado and move back to his hometown of Powell to raise their young children. Before returning to Powell, however, Gary had the opportunity to work at Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii, which allowed the family to live near Pat’s sister and her family. Gary enjoyed Oahu, but hated the traffic. It slowed him down. In 1974, after a brief time in Hawaii, the young family returned to Powell, where Gary and Pat lived for the remainder of their lives.
Upon returning to Powell, Gary went to work for his father at B&L Auto Parts, which he later bought and continued to operate, through multiple iterations, until he eventually decided to sell the business and pursue a new career as a real estate agent. As much as he liked cars and the auto parts business, Gary loved selling real estate. He loved everything about it (well, except for floor duty), but he especially enjoyed talking to and dealing with people.
Gary was always active. At various times, he was an avid fisherman, enjoyed bird hunting and for years was an active member of Ducks Unlimited. He played City League basketball, participated several times in the demolition derby at the Park County Fair, and enjoyed a lifelong love of golf, through which he formed many close friendships, including with men decades his junior.
More important than either his business or leisure activities, Gary was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He cared for his beloved wife Pat for many years, truly in sickness and in health, and loved doing it. As a father, Gary led by example, instilling solid values and a strong work ethic in his children. Gary genuinely loved spending time with the kids, grandkids and great-grandkids, goofing around and generally being mischievous. He particularly enjoyed attending whatever activities and events any of them were involved in, especially sports.
In his later years, Gary became good friends with Pastor Mike Walsh of Glad Tidings Church in Powell. Gary also enjoyed the weekly Tuesday morning men’s breakfast at the church.
Gary is survived by his sister Linda George of Fort Collins, Colorado, six children: Debbi Hoeft (Dave) of Big Horn, Wyoming, Mitch Baxter (Debbie) of Mission Viejo, California, Chad Baxter of Billings, Montana, Todd Baxter (Seanna) of Phoenix, Arizona, Dayna Thompson (Jim) of Billings, Montana, and Josh Baxter (Meredith) of Powell, 18 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents, his son Shannon, and his beloved wife of nearly 54 years, Pat.
Services will be held on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, at 2 p.m. at Glad Tidings Church in Powell. A public viewing will be held from 6-7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17, 2023 at Thompson Funeral Home.
