Norman Degraw Baxter

Norman DeGraw Baxter, 86, formerly of Union County, died April 27 in Baker City. A visitation will run from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Coles Tribute Center. Funeral services will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel at 2625 Hughes Lane, Baker City, conducted by Bishop Richard Hindman. Burial will be at the Joseph Cemetery at 3 p.m. Military rites will be given by the Oregon National Guard.

He was born on Easter Sunday, April 12, 1925, to Francis LeRoy and Sophia DeGraw Baxter in Cove. Eventually, his family moved to Emmett, Idaho, where they farmed through the Depression years, and he gained an appreciation for the earth and a love for animals. His family moved to Union while he was in high school.

Norman left high school early to enter World War II in 1943. While serving in the Navy, he earned his GED.

After the war, Norman married Nadine Tucker, also from Union, in the Salt Lake Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on June 11, 1947. He graduated from Utah State University with a degree in vocational agriculture and taught it in schools in Wyoming, Idaho and Oregon.

In 1964, Norman and Nadine decided to move their family to Baker City. Norman taught math at Baker Junior High and ended his career as a fourth-grade teacher at Brooklyn Elementary School. Those who knew him say he loved the children he taught. He and Nadine, also a teacher, retired in 1987.

Norman's greatest commitment was to his Savior, his wife and his children. He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in a variety of church callings, including as a patriarch for the La Grande Oregon Stake. He and Nadine served as ordinance workers in the Boise Temple for seven years, and they served an 18-month mission in Salt Lake City as missionaries at the Family History Center.

When not working or serving others, Norman enjoyed planting and nurturing his large garden and beautiful yard.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 64 years, Nadine; son, Dean, and his wife, Dawnie, of Baker City; son, Grant, and his wife, Dawn, of Fruitland, Idaho; daughter, Maxine Christofferson, and her husband, Jay, of Lehi, Utah; and son, Gregory, and his wife, Karen, of Baker City. He is also survived by a sister, Leila Blair, of Oregon City; numerous nephews and nieces; 24 grandchildren; and 40 great-grandchildren.

Norman was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and three sisters.

Memorial contributions may be directed to LDS Humanitarian Fund or the LDS Perpetual Education Fund in care of Coles Tribute Center, 1950 Place St., Baker City 97814.

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