Help Us Remember Jim Baxter

On Sunday, November 21, we unexpectedly lost our friend and loved one James "Jim" Patrick Baxter. As you can imagine, we are all devastated and heartbroken. Several of you have asked what you can do, and that's where this GoFundMe comes in. Because Jim did so much good in his too short life, we want to continue that sense of community and love for one another that so characterized Jim. Depending on the final amount, the money raised in this campaign will go to a number of causes close to Jim's heart, including
 
*A memorial star  in front of the Grandin Theatre (our top priority)
*UU Church of Roanoke 
*Mill Mountain Zoo 
*The FREE Foundation of Virginia  (provides mobility rehabilitation equipment to help uninsured and under-insured adults)
*Case Western Reserve University English Department (where Jim received his undergraduate degree and Jamie received his graduate degrees)
*Various Animal Care Groups
*Organizations at Center in the Square  (one of Jim's favorite places)

 

 

 

 

Many of you knew Jim, and his sense of humor, creativity, kindness, compassion, and love of literature, film, and music will be missed. Although Jim had switched careers to occupational therapy, where he derived a strong sense of purpose by helping his patients with activities of daily living, he was an English major at heart. He celebrated the written word in all its forms; one of the first gifts Jamie ever gave Jim was Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye – seventeen years ago for the first Christmas after they met. However, Jim also understood the importance of clear communication. He often redesigned and rewrote documents for his workplace in order to make them more accessible, usable, and readable for his colleagues and patients. He was the first volunteer to read any articles Jamie had written, and he always critiqued the design and instructions for the board games that he loved to play (with many of you).

 

 

 

 

Like Jamie, he also loved movies, especially science fiction. His favorite movie was Blade Runner, and he spent many a night at the Grandin Theatre in Roanoke watching all kinds of films. He would put up with Jamie's horror movie obsession, and he grew to love Dario Argento almost as much as Jamie does. He even made up a theme song to Argento’s film The Bird with the Crystal Plumage, and he performed it anytime Jamie asked because that’s the type of person Jim was. He loved to make people happy, even if it was singing a silly little song.

 

 

 

 

And that leads to his true love: music. He knew more about music than anyone we know. On Jamie and Jim's last trip to DC, Jim was able to see Tame Impala, one of his favorite bands. He was euphoric during the whole concert; Jamie had never seen him feel that way. Jim also loved going to house concerts in Pittsburg, KS, listening to folk and Americana music from all over. Finally, Jim was a musician himself. He played French horn and trumpet, but he wasn’t afraid of a challenge. When the Cleveland community band he was in needed another percussionist, he volunteered without hesitation. Over the last few years, Jim had joined the choir at the UU Church in Roanoke and quickly became a beloved member. A highlight was Jim singing “Why We Build the Wall” from Hadestown. He really got into it and dressed the part! Everyone was so proud of him, and his deep bass voice never sounded better.

 

 

 

 

We have decided to wait until the spring to hold celebrations of his life. He really hated this time of the year because it got dark so early! There will be one in Cleveland but also one in Roanoke as well as one in Kansas, where Jim and Jamie lived before moving to Virginia. There will be lots of 70s funk music, Tame Impala, board games, photography, architecture, and fun. Details to come in the spring.

 

We will collect funds for a while (at least through the beginning of the new year), and his family (Pat, Jim, Steve, Jeff, Tracy, and Jamie) will be in charge of distributing the money. Thank you for considering donating in Jim's memory, and do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.