Tommy Douglas Baxter

Tommy Douglas Baxter, 66, passed away on February 15th, 2012 in Springfield after a short battle with cancer. Graveside services will be held on Tuesday, March 6th at 11:00 am at the Springfield Cemetery. Tom was born on January 28, 1946 in Hereford, TX to Louis and Imogene Baxter. He was brought home to Friona, TX to his grandparent’s home where his three brothers were waiting. The family moved to Lamar, CO not long after Tom was born. His father had purchased a house that was in the process of being built and the family had to live in a hotel for six weeks until the house was completed. While staying in the hotel, Tom, a six week old infant, caught whooping cough. For a week, his loving mother had to sit in a rocking chair to keep him from crying. His parents nearly lost him several times and the hospital would not admit him due to the severity of the whooping cough. In 1948 the family moved to a ranch at Chivington, CO where Tom went to school until the 3rd grade. The family then moved back to Friona, TX. While attending school in Friona, Tom was a running back for the football team. He injured his knee his junior year and during his senior year, he was the place kicker. He graduated from Friona High School in 1964. After graduation, Tom moved to a ranch outside of Spearman, TX where he met Glenda Roberts. He married her in December of 1967. To this union two daughters were born, Stephanie and Shannon. In 1989, Tom was living in Springfield and met Cindy Rezen. They married on October 9th, 1993 and made their home in Springfield. He took very good care of Cindy all the time. They were two peas in a pod. You didn't see one without the other. When Tom got sick, Cindy took very good care of him. Tom was a loving and caring man and was loved by many. He was known as the “Uncle that would sit on the floor and play games with the kids.” He enjoyed taking things apart just to put them back together. If something needed repaired, he was the person to call. Tom is survived by his wife, Cindy; 2 daughters, Stephanie Clarkson and husband Greg of Akron, CO; Shannon Tinsley and husband Steve of Garland, TX. His mother Imogene of Eads; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Bud and Linda Rezen of Springfield; 4 brothers, Richard Baxter and wife Dona, Dwayne Baxter and wife Diane, all of Springfield; Lynn Baxter and wife Darlene of Rawlins, WY; Steve Baxter and wife Marilyn of Eads; brother-in-law Heath Rezen of Springfield; 4 grandchildren, Sydney and Jared Clarkson and Abigail and Elizabeth Tinsley; numerous nieces and nephews and many, many friends. Tom was preceded in death by his father, niece Marla Baxter and nephew Preston Neal.