Christopher C. Baxter

Christopher Colin Baxter, 69 years old, of Dunnellon, FL died peacefully on November 1, 2018 with his wife Cindy by his side. He was born in Vienna, Austria and spent his early years in Sarasota, FL as one of six children to Dr. Cecil Fredrick (Barney) and Sheila (Bowyer) Baxter.

He graduated from Riverview High School (Sarasota, FL) in 1966 as an outstanding athlete.  He competed in Track and Tennis at Riverview, and went on to play Division I Tennis on a full scholarship at Georgia Tech University. Chris’s success on the court led to national rankings as both a Junior and Collegiate Tennis player. Chris will be remembered by his many tennis students whose lives he positively influenced throughout the decades. He coached at Forest Lakes and Bath and Racquet Tennis Clubs (Sarasota,FL),  the 300 Club (Gainesville, FL), as Head Men’s Tennis Coach at Mississippi State University, (Starkville, MS),  and Director of Tennis at Muirfield Country Club (Dublin, OH). Many of Chris’s students went on to play Division I collegiate and professional tennis careers. Tennis was not his only gift. He also worked as a CPA in Dunnellon, FL, and as a substitute teacher for Alachua County. While an outstanding athlete, coach, and academic, Chris’s true passion was time spent with family and friends.  He loved exploring local parks, kayaking, hosting dinner parties, eating seafood, and discovering new ways to connect with those he loved so much.  His last message to his family was, “It’s not about what you do in life, it’s who you spend it with”.  His message is a beautiful remembrance of who he was and what he wants for future generations.

Chris is predeceased by his sister, Victoria Baxter (Philippe Blanc); twin brother, Raoul Baxter (Barbara) and parents (Cecil and Shelia Baxter).  He is survived by his beloved wife Cindy (Feagles) of 23 years, his in laws Timothy French (Barbara) ; children, Bonnie Kellogg (Don) Trevor (Cristina); sisters, Janica Johnson and Lark Baxter; brother, Rill Baxter (Eleanor); grandchildren, Lacey, Aubrey, Gavin and Isabella; nephews and nieces, Todd Johnson, Christopher-Rill (Karra), Teal Graeter (Spencer), Trinian O’Neil, Hunter and Lillie Baxter and his great nephews and nieces, Jackson, Gracie, Wyatt Graeter and Clover Baxter.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday November 17, 2018 at 12:30pm at St. Boniface Church – St. Mary’s Chapel (Outdoors) 5615 Midnight Pass Road Sarasota, Fl 34242, Reception to Follow.

Memorial Donations in memory of Chris can be made to: AMPFIN c/o John Birmingham 249 Shin Pond Road, Patten, ME 04765.

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