Brigadier General George Merton Baxter died at home on Wednesday, May 11, 2016. Mert was beloved by his family, admired by his friends and respected by the many soldiers whose lives he touched over his long military career. George Merton Baxter was born on February 21, 1931 to Elinor and George Baxter of Carson City. The oldest of three brothers and something of a wild child, Mert was a rare athlete. He became a three sport star at Carson High in the 1940's. He was recruited to play basketball and football at the University of Nevada and gained notoriety in both. His association with legendary coach Jake Lawlor not only lead to his athletic pinnacle, but would have a profound impact on his life. He loved Jake Lawlor. Mert was inducted into the Wolf Pack Hall of Fame in 1975.
Mert, or George as he was known in the Army, had completed ROTC training while at Nevada and upon graduation had a two year active service commitment, a wife and two young children. That commitment became a rewarding 35 year career as he and Gwen found a home in the Army. After his basic officer's course in 1954, he completed fixed wing training and, separated by a tour in Korea (1955-56), completed rotary wing flight training. His fortuitous entry into aviation at this time would put him at the cutting edge of the Army's development of air assault capability in the 1960's and led to what he believed was the highlight of his career when he commanded the 101st Airborne at Ft. Campbell, KY in 1980. George served two combat tours in Viet Nam (1966 and 1970) and six years on the front lines of the cold war in Augsburg, Heidelberg and finally Berlin, Germany bouncing between infantry and aviation commands, His final years in the Army included a tour in Pakistan as attache to the ambassador in Islamabad, ADC to the 24th Infantry Division under Norman Schwartzkopf in Ft. Stewart, Georgia, and command of the Presidio in San Francisco, a city both he and Gwen loved. George became Mert again when he retired from active service as a brigadier general and returned to Reno.
Mert was preceded in death by wife Gwen Byrd Baxter and son Gary Baxter. He leaves behind his brother, Michael Baxter, children Brenda Baxter, Greg Baxter (wife Barbara) and Amy Baxter Fruhwirth (husband Tim). He also leaves grandchildren Jillian Fruhwirth Merson (husband Eric), Graham Baxter (wife Jamie) and Kelly Fruhwirth. Great grandchildren Seven and Sevannah Barkman, Jameson, Gwennie and Everly Merson and Beckett and Kessler Baxter will miss him deeply.
Friends and family are welcome to gather at the Coney Island to remember a Nevada original on Sunday, June 12 from 11:00-2:00.
Published in Reno Gazette-Journal on May 22, 2016
Mert, or George as he was known in the Army, had completed ROTC training while at Nevada and upon graduation had a two year active service commitment, a wife and two young children. That commitment became a rewarding 35 year career as he and Gwen found a home in the Army. After his basic officer's course in 1954, he completed fixed wing training and, separated by a tour in Korea (1955-56), completed rotary wing flight training. His fortuitous entry into aviation at this time would put him at the cutting edge of the Army's development of air assault capability in the 1960's and led to what he believed was the highlight of his career when he commanded the 101st Airborne at Ft. Campbell, KY in 1980. George served two combat tours in Viet Nam (1966 and 1970) and six years on the front lines of the cold war in Augsburg, Heidelberg and finally Berlin, Germany bouncing between infantry and aviation commands, His final years in the Army included a tour in Pakistan as attache to the ambassador in Islamabad, ADC to the 24th Infantry Division under Norman Schwartzkopf in Ft. Stewart, Georgia, and command of the Presidio in San Francisco, a city both he and Gwen loved. George became Mert again when he retired from active service as a brigadier general and returned to Reno.
Mert was preceded in death by wife Gwen Byrd Baxter and son Gary Baxter. He leaves behind his brother, Michael Baxter, children Brenda Baxter, Greg Baxter (wife Barbara) and Amy Baxter Fruhwirth (husband Tim). He also leaves grandchildren Jillian Fruhwirth Merson (husband Eric), Graham Baxter (wife Jamie) and Kelly Fruhwirth. Great grandchildren Seven and Sevannah Barkman, Jameson, Gwennie and Everly Merson and Beckett and Kessler Baxter will miss him deeply.
Friends and family are welcome to gather at the Coney Island to remember a Nevada original on Sunday, June 12 from 11:00-2:00.
Published in Reno Gazette-Journal on May 22, 2016
Brigadier General George Merton Baxter died at home on Wednesday, May 11, 2016. Mert was beloved by his family, admired by his friends and respected by the many soldiers whose lives he touched over his long military career. George Merton Baxter was born on February 21, 1931 to Elinor and George Baxter of Carson City. The oldest of three brothers and something of a wild child, Mert was a rare athlete. He became a three sport star at Carson High in the 1940's. He was recruited to play basketball and football at the University of Nevada and gained notoriety in both. His association with legendary coach Jake Lawlor not only lead to his athletic pinnacle, but would have a profound impact on his life. He loved Jake Lawlor. Mert was inducted into the Wolf Pack Hall of Fame in 1975.
Mert, or George as he was known in the Army, had completed ROTC training while at Nevada and upon graduation had a two year active service commitment, a wife and two young children. That commitment became a rewarding 35 year career as he and Gwen found a home in the Army. After his basic officer's course in 1954, he completed fixed wing training and, separated by a tour in Korea (1955-56), completed rotary wing flight training. His fortuitous entry into aviation at this time would put him at the cutting edge of the Army's development of air assault capability in the 1960's and led to what he believed was the highlight of his career when he commanded the 101st Airborne at Ft. Campbell, KY in 1980. George served two combat tours in Viet Nam (1966 and 1970) and six years on the front lines of the cold war in Augsburg, Heidelberg and finally Berlin, Germany bouncing between infantry and aviation commands, His final years in the Army included a tour in Pakistan as attache to the ambassador in Islamabad, ADC to the 24th Infantry Division under Norman Schwartzkopf in Ft. Stewart, Georgia, and command of the Presidio in San Francisco, a city both he and Gwen loved. George became Mert again when he retired from active service as a brigadier general and returned to Reno.
Mert was preceded in death by wife Gwen Byrd Baxter and son Gary Baxter. He leaves behind his brother, Michael Baxter, children Brenda Baxter, Greg Baxter (wife Barbara) and Amy Baxter Fruhwirth (husband Tim). He also leaves grandchildren Jillian Fruhwirth Merson (husband Eric), Graham Baxter (wife Jamie) and Kelly Fruhwirth. Great grandchildren Seven and Sevannah Barkman, Jameson, Gwennie and Everly Merson and Beckett and Kessler Baxter will miss him deeply.
Friends and family are welcome to gather at the Coney Island to remember a Nevada original on Sunday, June 12 from 11:00-2:00.
Published in Reno Gazette-Journal on May 22, 2016
Mert, or George as he was known in the Army, had completed ROTC training while at Nevada and upon graduation had a two year active service commitment, a wife and two young children. That commitment became a rewarding 35 year career as he and Gwen found a home in the Army. After his basic officer's course in 1954, he completed fixed wing training and, separated by a tour in Korea (1955-56), completed rotary wing flight training. His fortuitous entry into aviation at this time would put him at the cutting edge of the Army's development of air assault capability in the 1960's and led to what he believed was the highlight of his career when he commanded the 101st Airborne at Ft. Campbell, KY in 1980. George served two combat tours in Viet Nam (1966 and 1970) and six years on the front lines of the cold war in Augsburg, Heidelberg and finally Berlin, Germany bouncing between infantry and aviation commands, His final years in the Army included a tour in Pakistan as attache to the ambassador in Islamabad, ADC to the 24th Infantry Division under Norman Schwartzkopf in Ft. Stewart, Georgia, and command of the Presidio in San Francisco, a city both he and Gwen loved. George became Mert again when he retired from active service as a brigadier general and returned to Reno.
Mert was preceded in death by wife Gwen Byrd Baxter and son Gary Baxter. He leaves behind his brother, Michael Baxter, children Brenda Baxter, Greg Baxter (wife Barbara) and Amy Baxter Fruhwirth (husband Tim). He also leaves grandchildren Jillian Fruhwirth Merson (husband Eric), Graham Baxter (wife Jamie) and Kelly Fruhwirth. Great grandchildren Seven and Sevannah Barkman, Jameson, Gwennie and Everly Merson and Beckett and Kessler Baxter will miss him deeply.
Friends and family are welcome to gather at the Coney Island to remember a Nevada original on Sunday, June 12 from 11:00-2:00.
Published in Reno Gazette-Journal on May 22, 2016
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