H. Baxter Ragsdale Jr.

H. Baxter Ragsdale, Jr., passed away January 12, 2023, at NHC Healthcare, Farragut. Born in Knoxville on August 3, 1930, Baxter attended Tyson Junior High, Knoxville High School (class of 1947). During high school he organized a summer day camp where he taught many boys to swim. At the University of Tennessee (class of 1951), Baxter served as President of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. He was a member of the swim team, Air Force ROTC and numerous other campus organizations. Following graduation, Baxter entered the Air Force and was stationed in Europe. He then served in the Reserves and retired as Major. Baxter began his business career with Standard Knitting Mills and later became President of Holston Manufacturing Company. In 1955, he met his first wife, the former Anne Marie Dennis, with whom he had his only child. In the mid-seventies, Baxter and his second wife Lib moved to California when he took a position with Keepers Industries. They remained in California for almost twenty years before returning to Knoxville for retirement. Baxter was preceded in death by his parents H. Baxter Ragsdale, Sr. and Virginia House Ragsdale; sister Virginia Ragsdale Bowers; nephew Melvin C. Bowers III; and second wife Elizabeth Rogers Ragsdale. He is survived by his son Dennis Baxter Ragsdale and wife Rebekah; wife Elizabeth Gaines “Toni” Ragsdale; grandchildren Anne Ragsdale Hale and husband Taylor, John Baxter Ragsdale and wife Haley; great granddaughters Ella Blaire Hale and Ryan Anne Hale; and nieces Virginia Bowers Izydore and Phebe Bowers Armas. Baxter is also survived by Hank Valk and Maria Wigdahl who took him into their lives and hearts after his marriage to their mother Toni. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to First Presbyterian Church, 620 State Street, Knoxville, Tennessee 37902 or to East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, Development Office, P.O. Box 15010, Knoxville, Tennessee 37901-9947. A Memorial Service will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 620 State Street, Knoxville, Tennessee at 11:00AM, Friday January 20, 2023. The family will receive friends in the Fellowship Hall immediately after the service. Online condolences may be made at rosefuneraltn.com.

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H. Baxter Ragsdale Jr.

August 3, 1930 - January 12, 2023