Kenneth Baxter

Kenneth Stanley Baxter (lovingly called “Poppy”), of Cragsmoor, NY, died peacefully at home surrounded by his family on November 1, 2024. Kenneth was born to the late Andrew and Clara (Smith) Baxter on May 18, 1922, in Ellenville, NY.

Kenneth attended Ellenville High School when, in 1943, he became an active member of the U.S. Army Air Corps to proudly serve his country during World War II alongside his three brothers. In recognition his four years of service he was honored with the American Campaign Medal, EAME Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal and Victory Medal. After the war, he met and fell in love with the late Julia (Vaughan) Baxter, a nurse who emigrated to Ellenville from Glasgow, Scotland. They were wed on May 15, 1953, and soon thereafter started their family. Kenneth worked as a lineman for the telephone company New York Bell until he retired in 1985. Kenneth, with the help of his siblings, built his family’s home atop the Shawangunk Ridge. After retirement, Kenneth never stopped tinkering on the house, which became the hub for his ever-growing, extended family. Anyone who visited—whether it was to enjoy a holiday feast, watch a Buffalo Bills game, take a sick day from school, or listen to stories on his porch—was warmly welcomed by a slew of “Stan-urisms.”* 

In addition to his wife and parents, Kenneth is predeceased by his beloved siblings: Greta Mitchell, Andrew, Irving, and Joseph; his son Peter; and his grandson-in-law Noriel. Poppy is survived by his five children: Ronald (Annette), Brenda Nickerson, Kenneth (Carina), Ann (Domnick) Raimondo, and Thomas Baxter; twelve grandchildren: Julia, Michael, Scott, Bryan, Chase, Taylor, Kaitlyn, Ryan, Joseph, Ian, Domnick, and Easton; and fifteen great grandchildren. 

Poppy was a staple of our community for a century and loved to watch his grandchildren play ball. He also was a fan of the New York Yankees and the UCONN Huskies girls’ basketball team and was never shy to share his analysis of the game with anyone within earshot. When Poppy wasn’t watching a game, you could often find him in his workshop, even in the coldest days of winter. Evidence of this is in the many birdhouses, bird door knockers, and scars on his fingers. Poppy will be remembered for his timeless wit, childlike sense of humor, inexhaustible energy for hard work, and unfaltering love for his family. ‘

Visitation will be held at Loucks Funeral Home, Ellenville on Saturday, November 16th from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM with services beginning at 3:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his name may be made to Hudson Valley Honor Flight through their website (https://hvhonorflight.com/donate/). 

*Poppy, “When they made you, they threw away the mold.”