Gene Baxter

Gene Baxter, 89, of Lithonia, passed away on April 19th after his health declined since breaking his hip in November. Gene was born on July 25th, 1922 in Sanish, North Dakota, and also lived in Montana and Colorado while growing up. The youngest of three sons of Leslie Baxter, a Scotsman, and Francis Ellertson of Bergan Norway, he received a BS degree with honors in Chemistry in 1944 from the University of Washington in Seattle. Gene worked as an epoxy chemist for 50 years. His most recent employer, Georgia Pacific, created the position of 'Senior Scientist' for him when he joined them in 1970. Gene rose to the top of his profession, and was credited with discovering a new class of chemicals. He was awarded many patents with a variety of applications. Gene was a Life Master in contract bridge, and played with many of the world's top players. He was an accomplished mineral artist, linguist and vocalist. He was a true gentleman, peaceful and quiet by nature, kind and generous to others. His extra dry sense of humor could make Bob Newhart sound like Jerry Lewis. Gene was, above all, a realist, whose motto was, "You've got to play the hand you're dealt", and whose battle cry was, "Be not pretentious!" Gene walked his talk to the very end. Gene married Jaqueline Smith of Balboa California in 1948, with whom he raised three children. Gene later married Elizabeth Turner of Alberta Canada, and they enjoyed their shared passions for bridge, travel, mineral art, and cryptic crosswords for 40 years. Both wives passed away recently in their eighties. Gene's brothers also lived long and happy lives. Gene is survived by his daughter, Marsha, and sons Michael and Anthony, as well as grandchildren Chris, Katie, Ghezwa, Hannah, Jessica and Sarah, and great-grandchildren Henry, Hudson, Dezarae, James Dean and Jaeton. Gene's life will be celebrated at 11am on Wednesday, April 25th, at Wages & Sons Funeral Home, 1040 Main Street in Stone Mountain.