Clyde "Sam" Baxter

Clyde "Sam" Baxter, 90, passed away on August 7, 2024, in Pine Knoll Shores, North Carolina. 

He was born on August 23, 1933, to the late Golden and Ruth Baxter. Sam was a dedicated teacher, an avid photographer, and a joke-teller extraordinaire. 

Sam grew up in the city of Atlanta, Georgia. He had fond childhood memories of roller skating into the Varsity for a chili dog and a PC and selling popcorn and peanuts at Georgia Tech’s Bobby Dodd Stadium. Sam graduated from Bass High School and soon after joined the Navy, serving aboard the USS Allen M. Sumner Destroyer (DesRon 16) as a radarman. 

After the Navy, he worked in sales for many years while attending night school at Georgia State University, where he earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Education. Sam spent the remainder of his career as a middle school teacher and administrator, a role he cherished and excelled in. He was exceptionally gifted in working with troubled kids and changed the lives of many children through his dedication to making their futures brighter.

Sam turned an interest in photography into a successful part-time business. He was self-taught — quite an accomplishment in an era before the advent of digital cameras. For many years, Sam, with the assistance of his wife, Jeannie, photographed weddings and special events on weekends.

Sam had a large repertoire of one-liners and dad jokes. He could be counted on to tell a new one every time you saw him. He never met a stranger and loved to talk to people everywhere he went. He would make the rounds, telling his jokes and stories. His friendly, good-natured banter brought smiles and laughter to many.

Sam leaves behind his loving and devoted wife of 49 years, Jeannie, and daughters, Laurie Keyton and Alison Baxter. He was “Papa Sam” to grandchildren, Susannah Miller (Bart), Erin Bovat, and Katie Bovat Playful (Matt), and great-grandchildren, Cale Miller, Micah Miller, Cade Patterson (Hallie), Ivy Miller, Tatum Patterson, Silas Reed, and Elsie, Merritt, River and Esmé Playful. He is also survived by his sisters, Patricia Haney and Linda Merritt, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, Tommy Cheves.

Sam left this world a better place. He will be greatly missed and remembered always as a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend.

A memorial service to honor Mr. Baxter’s life was held on Saturday, August 10th at St. Francis by the Sea Episcopal Church.

Family and friends are welcome to submit online condolences at www.mundenfuneralhome.net.

Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home & Crematory in Morehead City, NC.