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Baxter Ladon Hunter

August 23, 1955 – September 9, 2025

Baxter Ladon Hunter entered life Eternal, surrounded by his loving family on September 9, 2025, in Arlington, VA. He was a devoted husband, father, son, brother, and uncle.

Baxter was born on August 23, 1955, in Memphis, TN along with his identical twin brother, Victor Ladon Hunter, to his loving mother, Jessie Kirby (Hunter). There was debate between the two brothers, with Baxter always insisting that he was the older brother of the two. His late beloved grandmother, Hattie Hunter, was instrumental in his upbringing. He attended Mitchell High School in Memphis, TN, where he met his high school sweetheart, then Jo Ann Taylor, who has been his devoted wife for over half a century.

He worked early in his career as a top chef in Memphis, rising to the level of Executive Chef at several of the best restaurants in the city at that time. Baxter later pivoted careers in the late 1980's and became one of the most decorated automotive salesmen in the city. Additionally, he was an award-winning, nationally recognized top salesman for both Ford Motor Corporation and General Motors Company. Later in his career, he and his wife Jo Ann moved to the greater Washington, D.C. metro area to be closer to their children, where he continued his successful automotive sales career before retiring to spend more quality time with his family.

Baxter and Jo Ann have been members of New Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Memphis, TN for decades, with Baxter serving as a deacon. Since being in the greater Washington D.C. metro area, he and his wife have been members of National Community Church in Washington, D.C. and have also visited Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in McLean, VA on occasion.

He enjoyed supporting his children's interests, James Bond and action-themed movies, cooking, grilling ribs, watching the Dallas Cowboys football team, and traveling (to cities such as New York City, San Francisco, Chicago, New Orleans, and Virginia Beach). Baxter also served as booster club president for the Kirby High School (Memphis, TN) wrestling team that finished third place in the Tennessee state championships during his presidency. He enjoyed sharing meals with family and friends, and he absolutely loved spending time with his nieces and nephews in his family.

Baxter was preceded in death by his stepfather, James Cade; brothers, Victor L. Hunter, Barry L. Cade, Virgil L. Brevard; father-in-law, BK Taylor; mother-in-law, Rethia Taylor; and sister-in-law, Frances Taylor (Spencer).

He is survived by his wife, Jo Ann Hunter; sons, Christopher Hunter (Stephanie) and Nicholas Hunter; daughter, Jocelyn Hunter; mother, Jessie Kirby; brothers, Broderick L. Brevard (Sherbret), Vincent L. Brevard (Earlean); and sisters, Wiloner D. Brevard and Stephanie C. Holston (Albert); sisters-in-law, Cascellar Taylor and Gloria McGowan (Robert); and many close nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

The family is planning a celebration of life to occur at 11:00 a.m. on September 27th, 2025, at New Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Memphis, TN followed by interment at Memorial Park Cemetery also in Memphis, TN.