Remembering Glenn Baxter
Glenn Baxter, age 55, of Moses Lake, Washington, departed this life on Jan. 28, 2021. Born on March 26,1965, Baxter’s career was spent in service—first to the U.S. Navy and then to Columbia Basin Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center.
As a husband, father, brother and co-worker, Baxter was a gentle, modest man who avoided the limelight. When not working, he relished his time spent traveling the back roads on his motorcycle, piddling in the woodworking shop and in pursuit of the next big fish.
Hired as a social services assistant, Baxter arrived at Columbia Basin Job Corps on June 9, 2011. He worked in a variety of positions during his 10 years of service, but primarily in the dormitories.
Baxter’s life was marked by kindness. But he was also forthright, and you always knew where he stood—handy and essential qualities when working with young people. As the lead dormitory manager, he was perfectly situated to counsel and guide students in the ways of center life.
He was devoted to his students. They looked up to him because he set high standards for them, always wanting his young charges to become the best version of themselves.
For students who had trouble adjusting to center life, Baxter was a guiding force who encouraged them to persevere and make smart life choices. There was always a strong sense of camaraderie in Baxter’s dorm, which reinforced Columbia Basin’s positive student culture. Baxter modeled service to his students, both by recognizing and nurturing those with leadership potential and by challenging those same students to share their knowledge with their classmates.
Baxter was generous in volunteering his time to work to student after-hours activities. Student Government Associations are central to campus life on a Job Corps center, and recognizing that importance, Baxter served as the SGA advisor. He worked hard to ensure that Columbia Basin students felt valued and appreciated. It was common for him to organize extracurricular trips and activities to show them that their hard work in the classroom and vocational studies did not go unnoticed.
Columbia Basin students and staff remember Baxter’s service and dedication, but it is his joy and appreciation of life—the simple pleasures experienced in its journey—that color their recollections. They remember how he loved a good meal—especially gumbo. They remember his talent at story-telling. They remember his acceptance of people while gently and humorously pointing out the wackier aspects of life by announcing, “That’s Redonkulas.” Glenn Baxter has moved on to the next phase of his journey, but Columbia Basin Job Corps will remain gifted with his joy and the memory of him.