Janis Cook Baxter

Janis passed away peacefully in Temecula, California, on December 11, 2023. She was born in Ogden, Utah, on October 23, 1932, to Ben S. Cook and Sylvia Woodland Cook. Janis was raised in Syracuse, Utah, and graduated from Davis High School in 1950. She was a cheerleader during the years that Davis won state championships in both basketball and football. She had great pleasure in visiting with her High School classmates at their class reunions.  

Janis married Ray Duane Baxter on June 14, 1951; their marriage was later solemnized in the St. George LDS temple. Since 1959 the Baxter family has resided in the San Diego area, then later the Temecula Valley. Janis was a most loving wife, mother and grandmother. Her greatest love was her family. She cherished the almost daily contacts she had with her children and grandchildren. They were her best friends. She had a passion for entertaining and loved to host family holidays and birthdays—not to mention the luncheons and dinners with the many friends they both had. She was always the catalyst that brought the family together for special occasions, which were too numerous to count.  

Janis was a lifelong member of the LDS church and served faithfully in all her callings. She especially enjoyed her stint as Primary President and the years she served with her husband as an ordinance worker in the San Diego Temple. Her several hobbies included ceramics and painting, but where she excelled most was in the role of beloved and compassionate homemaker—who always made everyone feel welcome and who had a perpetual smile for all who were in her presence.

Janis is preceded in death by her parents Ben S. Cook and Sylvia Woodland Cook, and her beloved husband Ray. She is survived by her daughter Kristy (Larry) in Bonsall, California, daughter Kim (Bob) in Ivins, Utah, son Perris (Kathleen) in Lakeside, California, 4 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by siblings Joan Hakes, Bill Cook, and Carol Shay.

Funeral services will be held at Russon Mortuary, 1585 West 300 South, Syracuse, Utah, on Thursday, January 4, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. A family and friends gathering will be held at the mortuary prior to the service from 10:45-11:45 a.m. Interment at the Syracuse City Cemetery.

Services will be streamed live on the Russon Mortuary & Crematory Facebook page and on this obituary page. The live stream will begin 10-15 minutes prior to services and will be posted below.