Baxter Lewis Blakey...Age 78

BURIAL: PRIVATE

October 31, 2013 at the
Leavenworth National Cemetery, Leavenworth, Kansas

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Baxter Lewis Blakey age78, of rural Osawatomie, Kansas died Wednesday, October 30, 2013 at his home after an extended illness.

Baxter was born July 12, 1935 in Protem, Missouri the youngest child of four to Nathan Kinsey and Grace Caroline (Brown) Blakey.

He grew up in the Protem and Forsythe, Missouri area attending the local schools. His family moved to Branson, Missouri where he graduated from Branson High School in the class of 1953.

On January 23, 1958 he enlisted in the United States Air Force. He was stationed at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas and Richards Gebaur Air Force Base in Missouri. He served in the 442nd Transportation Squadron. Baxter left active duty on August 27, 1962. He continued his military service in the Air Force Reserves until January 8, 1964.

Baxter married Barbara Jean Wysocki on May 24, 1975 in Las Vegas, Nevada. They were married for over 38 years.


Baxter worked for TWA Airlines before entering the Air Force and continued to work for them after his service in the Air Force. He worked in passenger services. He left TWA in the mid 1980’s. He later worked for Johnson County Mental Health Services as a van driver until 2005.

Baxter and Barbara lived in the Johnson County area until 1990 when they moved to rural Osawatomie.

Baxter was someone who liked watching people, when he was in the military he enjoyed getting the platoon out of sync when marching, unbeknownst to them, just to watch how they would react. He loved to talk to people or more so listen to people wanting to know about them and their interests.

He was one to build and create things. He would get an image of something in his mind and find the proper resources to make it a reality. Baxter loved making and welding things that were of use to them around their home, like wagons, carts, shelving and bird feeders, too many to list.

He loved spending time with his wife Barbara no matter what it was, from working, to chopping wood or just a stroll in the woods with their beloved dogs. It has been said that Baxter was like Jesus, in that he was gentle and lowly in heart. He will be missed by many.

Baxter was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Jake Blakey and two sisters: Geneva Cole and Esther Jenkins.

He is survived by his wife Barbara of the home, one son Rick Blakey of Kansas City, Kansas, his daughter Shelly (Brian) Hughes, grandson Dawson Hughes all of Olathe, Kansas , his brother in-law Glendale Jenkins of Excelsior Springs, Missouri, his first wife and mother of their two children Neva Blakey and many nieces and nephews.

A private burial with military honors was held Thursday, October 31, 2013 in the Leavenworth National Cemetery, Leavenworth, Kansas.