Rev. David Henry Baxter

It is with broken hearts that the family of David Henry Baxter announce his passing on March 5, 2022 at the Atikokan General Hospital with family by his side.

He was born in Toronto, Ontario on November 14, 1947 to Bert and Lenora Baxter. He was the eldest of their 6 children, brothers Dan & Bill and sisters Cyndy, Lenora-Lee and Becky. When he was 11 years old, his family moved to Scarborough, ON. He lived across the street from Sue Mitchell who was 7 years old at that time. Sue fell in love with him as soon as she met him and planned in her heart to marry him someday. This is where their love story began. Dave and Sue grew up together in the same neighborhood and attended the same elementary school as well as Dorset Park Baptist Church. Even when Dave was hospitalized during his teenage years, Sue kept a close eye on him.

His dad went into the ministry and moved his family to Atikokan in 1965. He graduated from Atikokan High School and then went on to Lakehead University to study architecture. Although his passion was design, he felt his calling was to preach God’s word. A year later, he attended Central Baptist Seminary in Toronto. It was then that he was able to reconnect with Sue and soon asked her to marry him. They were married on June 5, 1971 at the church where they grew up. He was called by Richmond Hill Baptist Church to be an assistant pastor during his seminary years.

Dave and Sue were blessed with their first son Bert Jr. while he attended seminary. It was at that time that he had to make a very difficult decision to leave his work in Richmond Hill and move to Atikokan to join his dad with his ministry in Atikokan. God blessed him with four more children Cynthia, Kevin, Laura and Sarah, all born in Atikokan.

He continued to build his ministry and this coming October would have marked his 50th year as a pastor.

Dave’s family was the world to him. His wife Sue and children Bert (Sandra), Cynthia, Kevin (Karin), Laura and Sarah (Aaron). Dave was blessed with his grandchildren Kayla (Josh), Hayden (Tiffany), Malcolm, Faith, Spencer (Cassidy), Mya (deceased), Madison, Mitchell (deceased), Jack, Joshua, Lily, Noah and Isabelle as well as his great grandchildren Henry, Emily, Hannah and Tessa-Lynne who were all so precious to him. His presence and love will be missed by his entire family.

The verse he chose for his wedding day kept him and Sue strong through 50 years of marriage. 1st Peter 3:7 - “Heirs together of the grace of life”.

Visitation for Dave will be held on Wednesday, March 9, 2022 from 5:00 – 8:00 pm in the WESTFORT CHAPEL, 420 West Gore Street, Thunder Bay. A private family service will take place on Thursday, March 10, 2022.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Westfort Baptist Church designated to Westfort Baptist Bible Camp where Dave ministered to children for many years. Cheques can made payable to Westfort Baptist Church, 1219 Ford Street, Thunder Bay, ON P7E 2B7 or etransfer treasurer@westfortbaptist.org.