James “Jim” Edward Baxter Sr, 86 of Springfield Missouri passed away Friday March 17th, 2023 at the home of his son James “Jimmy” E. Baxter, Jr by his side. Jim was the first born son of Edward and Gretchen (Hamilton) Baxter-Lanning, born in Clarksville, NY on July 12, 1936. Jim grew up in the Bolivar/Clarksville area of New York, receiving his H.S. diploma from Bolivar High School.

After High School Jim enlisted in the U.S. Army having served two (2) tours and being Honorably Discharged in Ft Leonard Wood, Missouri he moved to Springfield and made Missouri his permanent home.

In 1966 Jim married Rosa Lee (Stevens) DeMaranville on Christmas Day. He became step-dad, “Pap” to four (4) sons and five (5) daughters, then in 1965 they were blessed to welcome son James Jr “Jimmy”. Jim & Rosa enjoyed forty-three (43) glorious, love filled years together before her untimely passing on March 12, 2010.

In his early years after his military service, Jim owned his own block truck and delivered for Willard Block in Willard, MO. In 1970 he began his employment at Lily Tulip in Springfield. Jim quickly earned the nickname “Sidewinder” from his co-workers, and enjoyed that moniker until his retirement on July 31, 1998.

His retirement coincided with the birth of Jimmy’s daughter Talia. Jim and Rosa were always the doting great and great great grandparents with all of the grandkids, but Jim and Rosa were especially close to Jimmy and that translated to them getting to spend an abundance of time with Talia. To say that Talia was close to grandma and grandpa Baxter would be an understatement. Talia rarely went a day without seeing or speaking to one of both of her paternal grandparents. Jim was a very proud grandpa to Talia and “Old PaPa” to great grandson Mason (Talia’s son).

After Rosa’s passing in 2010 Jim and Jimmy became even closer. Jim never missed an event, game, or practice that Talia was participating in. Jim was her biggest cheerleader. He and Jimmy traveled together almost every weekend for those events, then during Talial’s off-season they all traveled to Dirt Track – Stock Car Races both locally and throughout the region. They also enjoyed the annual trip back to Friendship, New York for the family reunion. Often bringing along one of Talia’s friends to treat them to the 2000 mile round-trip and the adventure to Niagara Falls.

Shortly after Jim arrived in Missouri, his father suddenly passed away on December 13, 1965. Jim’s mom Gretchen moved down to Missouri and after several years here she remarried. Gretchen and her husband Ralph Lanning settled in Republic, Missouri living there until her passing in 2008.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Gretchen and Ed; wife, Rosa Lee; Two Step-Sons, Buddy & Cleotis “Steve”; Two Step-Daughters, Delilah & Donna; his Brother, Doug; Sisters, Joyce & Paula; step-father Ralph Lanning; several brothers and sister-in-laws; Aunts; Uncles; and Mother-in-Law, Anna Mae Stevens.

He is survived by his son James E. Baxter, Jr; grand-daughter, Talia: Talia’s partner Chase Roberts; Great Grandson, Mason; Two Step-Sons, Eric (wife Gale) & Bruce DeMaranville; Three Step-Daughters, Violet McElhany, Sharlot Wilson (husband Benny) and Faith Stapp; and abundance of grandkids & great grandkids who endearingly called him “Pap”. He leaves behind many nieces & nephews, along with friends. He will be missed by all who loved him. Including his church family at Northbridge Church and those that he gathered with daily over coffee at the McDonald’s Restaurant on North Kansas Expressway.

His visitation will be held at Greenlawn Funeral Home – North on Thursday, March 23rd, from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm. The Funeral Services will be held on Friday, March 24th, beginning at 3:00 pm at Greenlawn. At the end of the service the procession will take him to his final resting place at Mt. Olive Cemetery in Olive, Missouri.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to C.A.R.E. Animal Rescue in Springfield.