1937–2021
HEREFORD—Waldo Reece Baxter of Hereford, Texas, went to be with his Lord on Wednesday, November 10, 2021 at the age of 84.
Services were held at 2:30 p.m., Monday, November 15, 2021 at the Fellowship of Believers Church at 245 North Kingwood in Hereford. Danny Mize officiated.
Waldo was available for viewing Saturday, November 13, 2021 from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m. The family received guests on Sunday, November 14, 2021 from 4 p.m. until 6 p..m. at the Parkside Chapel Funeral Home in Hereford.
Waldo was born in Floyd County, Texas, to Rena and Cecil Baxter on October 16, 1937.
He graduated from Floydada High School in 1955. He then joined the U.S. Navy, proudly serving our country. Upon his return he attended West Texas State University, earning his bachelor’s degree in agriculture. While attending he met the love of his life, and the person who helped him to finally focus on college, Carolyn Morris Baxter. They were married on September 14, 1962.
Waldo worked at Production Credit in Plainview, Texas, before moving in 1967 to Hereford, where he worked at Hereford State Bank as an agriculture lender and senior vice president, until his retirement in 2000. Following his retirement, he loved to attend Bentley auctions and sold furniture at Picture Perfect with Earl Brookhart and the “crew.”
Waldo had a huge heart and when he saw a need he was always there to help. He was a character and you never knew what he would do or say, but you always knew he was going to make you laugh. During the past 10 years Waldo found a passion in building white crosses, which are scattered through Hereford and are known to be spotted in other states across the country he loved.
He attended Fellowship of Believers Church in Hereford. He was involved in other interests, including the Kiwanis Club, Sweat Hogs at the First Baptist Church, and Panhandle Plains Higher Education Authority, and he enjoyed coaching at Kids Inc. and the YMCA. He raised large gardens and loved to share his veggies with everyone.
During the last several years he mastered playing games on his iPad, watched a little too much Fox News, and enjoyed most of all attending his grandkids’ sporting and school events.
Waldo was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Kerwin Baxter, and sister-in-law, Mary Helen Baxter.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Carolyn Baxter of Hereford, Texas; his daughter, Carla Leingang and husband, Aaron, of Pierre, S.D.; his son, Rex Baxter and wife, Wendy, of Amarillo; grandchildren Andrew, Morgan, Collin, Will, Avery, Vaughn, Averi, and Luke; two nephews, Joe Baxter and Johnny Baxter; and many Baxter and Lyles cousins.
And if you ever wondered, “Where’s Waldo,” now you know he’s in Heaven!
Waldo’s family would like to thank Hereford Regional Hospital for the care they have extended him and also his many doctors, especially Dr. Trevor Rohm and Dr. Gary Soya for the care and compassion they have shown him during his long illness. We also want to thank Kathy Middleton for the caring she has extended to Waldo.