Warner Owen Baxter

Roanoke Rapids-

Warner Owen Baxter, 81, died at his residence, Monday January 13, 2014.

Mr. Baxter was born in New Rochelle, NY, April 5, 1932, to the late Vere L. Baxter and Minnie Poole Baxter. He was a retired United States Navy Veteran and also served 23 years with the Civil Service Coast Guard. While touring in Naples, Italy, he was a scuba diving instructor for 17 years. After faithfully serving his country, he worked and retired with the Metropolitan Police Department and Harbor Patrol in Washington, DC. After his retirement with the police department, he enjoyed his time as a truck driver. In addition to his parents, Mr. Baxter is preceded in death by his first wife, Emma Baxter; son, Russell Terry Wood, and daughter, Donna Lee Blass.

Surviving is his wife, Rita Elizabeth Baxter, of the home; three sons, Gilbert Joseph Woody Wood, Jr. and wife, Joyce, of Fredricksburg, PA, Ted Wayne Wood and wife, Monika, of Windsor, NC, and George Leonard Wood and wife, Cindy, of Buckley, WA; three daughters, Carol Ann Griffin and husband, James, of Glendale, AZ, Patricia Katy Birdy of FL, and Charlotte Steinhoff and husband, Lynn, of Slippery Rock, PA; one brother, Donald A. Baxter and wife Mary, of Lake Gaston. Also surviving are 26 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

The family will have a gathering to celebrate Mr. Baxters life, Thursday, January 16, 2014 from 3:00pm-6:00pm at Hockaday Funeral & Cremation Service.

Interment will follow at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorial contributions be made in honor of Warner O. Baxter of Roanoke Rapids, NC to: The American Heart Association, 7272 Greenville Ave., Dallas, TX 75231.