Celebration of Life

Ronald Stephenson Baxter, age 81, was born on August 18, 1943, to his loving parents, Tommy Baxter and Ethel Thomas Baxter in Columbia, Tennessee. He transitioned from this life on April 14, 2025, at St Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma, Washington.

Ronald attended public schools in Columbia, Tennessee. He graduated from Carver Smith High in 1962. He attended Seattle Community College in Seattle, Washington.

He served in the United Staes Army. He was stationed in Korea for three years and discharged with an honorable discharge. He held various jobs at Boeing, Veterans Affairs and as a custodian before retiring.

Ronald was united in holy matrimony to Mary Moore on July 20, 2013, in Tacoma, Washington. He was a member of St. Johns Church Transformation Ministries International. He served on the Usher Board until he became ill.

Ronald enjoyed sleeping in late, watching Young in the Restless, In the Heat of the Night and the western channels. He was once an avid bowling on a local bowling league.

Ronald is preceded in death by his parents, Tommie Lee Baxter and Ethel Baxter, sister, Betty Jo Baxter Davis, brother Kenny Earl Baxter, bonus grandson Darrell Wilson, nephew Ronald Davis, and devoted cousin Margaret Brown Johnson.

He leaves to cherish his precious memories to his loving wife Mary Moore Baxter, sons, William Anthony Baxter, Seattle, WA, Michael Kennedy, Canton, MS, daughters, Valetha Alderson (James) Harker Heights, TX, Nicole Baxter, Seattle, WA, Betty Baxter (Stephen), Magnolia, TX, bonus daughter, Brenda Wilson (Darrell), Tacoma, WA, siblings, Thomas Lee Baxter (Cemora) Clarksville, TN, Evelyn Baxter Tucker (James), Ft. Worth, TX, Fredrick Baxter, Tacoma, WA, devoted niece Jacqueline Canley (Willie) Tacoma, WA, devoted granddaughter Makaela Baxter-Reynolds Seattle, WA, loving great-grandson Pierre Green, Seattle, WA, devoted cousin, Lavon Armstrong, Tacoma, WA, loving cousin, Stephanie Diane Thomas, Columbia, TN, a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.