Ralph Eugene Baxter

Ralph Eugene Baxter, 91, passed away Thursday, January 3, 2019. Born October 1927 in Moultrie, GA and raised in Tabor City, NC, he was a son of the late Jessie Lee and Alma Mardre Everett Baxter.

He graduated from Tabor City High School in 1947 and attended The Citadel before joining the US Army in 1950 where he served in the Korean War as a Sergeant in the Airborne Rangers, 45th Recon Company. Mr. Baxter received the Occupational Medal (Japan); Korean Service Medal with Bronze Service Star; UN Service Medal and Parachute Badge while serving from 1950 to 1952. He is a Life Member of VFW Post 8738.

Ralph enjoyed a 34 year career in telecommunications, commencing his career with Western Electric and retiring from AT&T.  An avid believer in giving back to his community, Ralph volunteered countless hours in service through the Telephone Pioneers of America with the State of SC in the Talking Book Repair Service repairing over 4,000 reading machines and enjoying time with his fellow volunteers every Tuesday for 24 years. He served with many other Pioneer projects in our community including helping to paint maps of the US on outdoor courts in area schools. He was the leader of Boy Scout Troop 74 for many years.  He also served his church, Platt Springs United Methodist Church, in various capacities for over 50 years.

He was devoted to his family and will be sadly missed by his wife of 42 years, Elaine Kemmerlin Baxter,  his children: Cynthia Ricard [Allen]; Deborah Anderson; James David Baxter [Barbara]; Todd Smoak [Michelle] and Michael Smoak [Carrie]; grandchildren Stephanie Anderson Williams [Ricky], Jenny Anderson samples [Stewart], Jason Ricard, Bryan Ricard [Katie], Blake Baxter, Jacob Baxter [Ashlyn], Brandon Baxter, Michael Todd Smoak, Mallison E. Smoak, Taryn Smoak, Kendall Smoak; great-grandchildren Scotty Leaphart, Skyler Leaphart, Jake Samples, Noah Williams, Lizzy Samples, Leah Kate Ricard, and Blythe Baxter; as well as sister Betty Walters [A.L.]; sister-in-law Jeannette Baxter of Tabor City, NC; and 15 nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by five brothers Lloyd, Francis, Horton, Wayne [Jeannette], and Marion; and a son-in-law Dennis Anderson.

Funeral services for Mr. Baxter will be held 2 pm, Monday, January 7, 2019 at Platt Springs United Methodist Church. Interment will follow at Southland Memorial Gardens. The family will greet friends Sunday, January 6, 2019 from 4 to 6 pm at Barr-Price Funeral Home and Crematorium, Lexington Chapel. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ralph Eugene Baxter, please visit our floral store.