Merle Dean Baxter

Merle Dean Baxter was born Oct. 2, 1958 in Alva, Ok. to Johnny and Ruth (Lord) Baxter. Merle passed away suddenly at St. John’s hospital in Tulsa, OK. He was cremated at his request and a private memorial will be held at a later date. Merle attended Alva Public Schools and graduated from Alva High School with the class of 1976. Merle loved music all his life and learned to play the guitar from his Daddy. He played many instruments well, but his favorite was the bass guitar. He played and sang with his family at the Alva Assembly of God Church, and he began playing professionally with local bands while he was still in high school. Following high school graduation Merle moved to Tulsa and became a professional musician playing bass guitar with Jana Jae, "The First Lady of Country Fiddle". Soon Jana was contracted by Sam Walton to entertain at grand openings of both Walmart and Sam's Clubs all over the USA. One of Merle's favorite songs was "I've Been Everywhere" because he felt that after many years touring as a musician he had seen most of America. He also shared the stage with many stars of country music including Johnny Cash, Dwight Yoakam, Chet Atkins, and others. He continued to entertain with Jana Jae until his death and recently played with Jana for her induction into the Oklahoma Country Music Hall of Fame. They have many selections on YouTube, and Merle recently recorded one of his own original songs included on Jana’s album Take Me Back to Tulsa. They just recorded two television shows for Oklahoma Public Television. He was also employed at Goodwill Industries of Tulsa and loved his job there. Merle married Sonya Ramirez in Alva, Ok. in 1981; they were blessed with two children, Clinton and Lauren. He later married Jackie Presser. He was preceded in death by his wife Jackie on May 4, 2012, and his parents Johnny and Ruth Baxter. He is survived by his son Clinton and his children Hugh and Henry of Tulsa, Ok., his daughter Lauren of Edmond, Ok.,three brothers, Dan (Carolyn) of Lowell, Arkansas, Darrell (Sharon) of Birmingham, Ala.,Mike (Julie) of Nashville, Tn., one sister, Beverly of Kansas City, Ks., a niece, nephews, cousins, and many life long friends. The family requests donations be made to the Musician’s Foundation (musiciansfoundation.org) or Sweet Relief (sweetrelief.org).

Merle Dean Baxter

October 2, 1958 - December 31, 2015