Ralph Baxter

Ralph Marcus Baxter of Uvalde passed away on April 2, 2022, at his residence at the age of 91.

He was born on Jan. 1, 1931, in Auger Hole, Texas, to David Leeman and Edna Ruth Baxter.

He married Martha Carolyn Baggett on Dec. 25, 1951, in Austin, Texas.

Upon graduating from the University of Texas, Marc entered the US Navy. After completing Officer Training School, he was assigned to Port Hueneme, California, and served in the Civil Engineering Corp during the Korean conflict.

The couple returned to Texas in 1956 when Marc accepted a position as a Civil Engineer with the Texas Highway Department in Uvalde. During his career he attained the position of Resident Engineer and was responsible for designing and maintaining area roadways.

Marc was active in many community groups such as Kiwanis, Boy Scouts, and the Methodist Church as his children grew. Near retirement from THD, he answered the call to acquire new skills and travelled the state assisting offices to transition from pen and ink design to computer aided design. He retired at age 55 and returned to Uvalde.

Uvalde served as the couple's home base for adventurous traveling across the country to collect genealogical data from original sources. Marc carried forth a family legacy of integrity, compassion, perseverance.

He is survived by his two sisters, Joye Rix of Corpus Christi and Bernice Stimson of Victoria; daughters, Brenda and husband, George Harrison of Uvalde, Becky and husband, Tony Altobelli of San Antonio, son, Bill and wife, Shirley Baxter of Uvalde; 13 grandchildren, Bonnie Zamora, Yvette Zamora, Trey and wife, Kristin Zamora, Amos and wife, Linda Harrison, Allison Harrison, Jason and wife, Jacqueline Altobelli, Martha and husband, Steven Garcia, Marcus and wife, Kristin Baxter, John and wife, Lynz Baxter, Alex Morales Jr., Mark and wife, Pearl Morales, Jonathan and wife, Brissa Morales, and Keanna Baxter; 18 great-grandchildren, Brandt Zamora, Elizabeth Harrison, Ellie Harrison, Thomas Altobelli, Marcus Altobelli, Zoe Baxter, Lucas Baxter, Collin Baxter, Hans Baxter, Haiden Morales, Kara Romero, Elija Bonnet, Darrien Bonnet, Ariyia Morales, Niya Morales, Aaliyah Morales, Scott Morales, and Mason Morales; three great-great-grandchildren, Abigail Zamora, Hudson Zamora, and Peyton Zamora; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Martha, and his sister Dortha Olney.

He will be remembered by family and friends for many qualities; among them his lifelong curiosity and love of learning, his appreciation of the beauty and wonder of nature, his quirky sense of humor, and his love of gadgets. He was always ready for a good discussion, questioning and searching for possibilities. He did his best to encourage each of us to live our own best lives.