Hiram J. "Hi" Baxter, Jr., 87, died May 9, 2011 at Woodhaven Care Center, Ellinwood, Kansas. He was born May 28, 1923 at Larned, Kansas, the son of Hiram Henry and Katherine "Mae" (Simmons) Baxter. He married Patricia Ida Mae Younkin January 25, 1947 at Great Bend, Kansas. A Great Bend resident since 1947, Mr. Baxter was a letter carrier for the United States Postal Service for thirty-two years and was a mailman at Barton Community College for ten years following his retirement from the postal service. He was a World War II veteran serving as a medical corpsman with the United States Navy and the United States Marine Corps. Mr. Baxter was a member of First United Methodist Church and American Legion Argonne Post 180, Great Bend; and was past president of Great Bend Evening Lions Club and was business manager for the Lions State Convention. He was a graduate of Sublette High School and was a member of the 1941 Class B State Championship basketball team. He enjoyed big band dances, yard work, walking, being outside, vacationing in the mountains and always made his family a priority. Survivors include his wife, Patricia Baxter, of the home; three sons: Jeffrey Lynn Baxter and wife Connie, Leavenworth, Kansas; Charles Joseph Baxter and wife Karen, Bonner Springs, Kansas; and Alan Eric Baxter, Great Bend; two daughters: Nancy Kathryn Baxter, Great Bend; and Lori Anne Underwood and husband Jeff, Great Bend; one brother: Bill Baxter and wife Sarah, Canon City, Colorado; thirteen grandchildren: Dustin Baxter, Tara Talley and husband Trent, Olivia Baxter, David Baxter, Jonathan Baxter, Lindsay Baxter, Megan Berger and husband Chris, Patrick Underwood and wife MaKenna, Kelly Underwood, Chelsea Underwood, Robbie Underwood, AnnaLeesha Baxter, and Addison Baxter; and one great-grandchild: Hunter Talley. He was preceded in death by his father, Hiram Baxter; his mother and step-father, Fred and Katherine "Mae" Higgins; two sisters: Mary LaVonne "Bonnie" Batchman and Benita Doherty; and one grandson, Jordan Lance Baxter. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, May 12, 2011 at First United Methodist Church. The Reverend Tom Sheldon will officiate. Burial will be in Great Bend Cemetery with military rites by the United States Marine Corps. Friends may call from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., with the family receiving friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 11, 2011 at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorials are requested to First United Methodist Church, in care of the funeral home.