Blaine Albert Baxter passed away on Wednesday, November 2, 2022, at the age of 78 in Stockton, Kansas. He was born on December 3, 1943, in Hays, Kansas, to Victor Reid and Ruth (Blauer) Baxter. He was united in marriage to Margaret Diana “Diane” Miller on March 20, 1970. The couple was blessed with five children: Cash, Jean, Matthew, Chauncey, and Michael.
Blaine was a lifetime resident of Stockton, Kansas, and graduated with the class of 1961. Blaine began working at the age of 15 for local electrician Dale Shelton. Although starting out doing odd jobs for Dale, Blaine eventually learned the trade, which started a 50-year career in commercial, industrial, and agricultural electric work.
In addition to his career as an electrician, Blaine owned a hardware store with his father and a bait and tackle store with his wife. He was always proud to say that he was in business on Main Street Stockton for fifty years.
Although Blaine was a hard worker, a trait that he instilled into all his children, he also liked to play hard. He was a known fisherman and loved the outdoors. In his youth you would find him on the river or exploring the fields around Stockton in search of an arrowhead. He loved to spend time at Webster Reservoir, Kirwin Reservoir, and Waconda Lake. Although he couldn't fish in his later years, he never declined a trip to the lake and loved to teach his grandchildren how to throw rocks in the water. When not at the lake, you could find him at the bait shop's back table in a game of five-point, cutthroat pitch with his friends and family.
Through his time at the bait shop, Blaine became a well-known member of the Stockton community. He was always happy to see customers and would quickly befriend any person who came in, whether it was a local or out-of-state hunter visiting for a weekend. In fact, many of Blaine's closest friends were frequent customers or hunters who made a yearly trip to Stockton.
He is survived by his wife, Diane Baxter of Stockton, KS; children, Cash Baxter of Stockton, KS, Jean (Mike) Rohr of Russell, KS, Matthew Baxter of Stockton, KS, Chauncey (Staci) Baxter of Salina, KS, and Michael (Jackie) Baxter of Hays, KS; brother, Steve (Cheryl) Baxter of Stockton, KS; and nine grandchildren, Aidan Rohr, Mason Rohr, Hailey Baxter, Dylan Baxter, Slayde Baxter, Jackson Tanner, Kynadee Tanner, Eli Baxter, and Lily Baxter.
Blaine is preceded in death by his parents, Victor Reid and Ruth Baxter; and brother, Rudy Baxter.
A Celebration of Life Gathering will be held on December 3, 2022, 2:00 PM until 4:00 PM at the St. Thomas Parish Center in Stockton.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Shriners Hospital or Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation and may be sent in care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 723 North First, Stockton, KS 67669.