Timothy Baxter

A Celebration of Life for Timothy Lee Baxter, 56, Lawrence will be held 4 p.m., Saturday, February 4, 2012 at First Church of the Nazarene south of Lawrence.  He died January 31, 2012 in Lawrence surrounded by his friends and family, following a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Timothy was born on February 26, 1955 in Fort Knox, Kentucky the son of Donald G. and Norma R. (Barton) Baxter.

He moved to Lawrence, KS in 1957.  He attended Lawrence schools and graduated from Lawrence High School.  He then graduated from Highland Community College.

He worked for TRW later named Lawrence Technology for over 20 years before retiring in 1995.  He then joined the family business, Baxter Racing and Ford Parts.  He traveled with his father’s top fuel dragster, the “Jayhawker” from 1976 – 1982 before taking the driver’s seat from 1985 – 2002 after the car was switched to top alcohol.

He was a former long-time member of the NHRA and was an avid KU fan.  He enjoyed hunting and fishing and spending his summers in Colorado with his two daughters.  He won the TRW All Star Race in 1989.  He was 3-time Division 5 drag racing champion and received Sportsman of the Year award several times.

Tim married Penny Brecheisen on April 25, 1981.

Survivors include his parents, Don and Norma Baxter; two daughters, Lindsay Baxter, Overland Park, KS, Lacey Baxter, Lawrence; one brother, Robert A. “Bob” Baxter, and wife, Lisa; one sister, Dawn Kristine “Kris” Wilson, and fiancé; Theron Gregg; former wife and friend, Penny Baxter; nieces and nephews, Kelly Gofus, and husband, Sean, and their daughter, Jovee, Roxanne Baxter, Dan Baxter, Ryan Courtney, and wife, Sherene, Brett Courtney, and wife, Caitlin, Jared and Jacob Wilson.  Tim was the nephew of Phyllis & Kenny Glenn, Waverly, KS, Juanita Barton Robinson, Florissant, CO, James Barton, Pueblo, CO.

Memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Tim Baxter Memorial Fund and may be sent in care of Douglas County Bank or Warren-McElwain Mortuary.

A reception will follow the service at the First Church of the Nazarene, 1470 N. 1000 Road, Lawrence, 66046