Iris Baxter Obituary

In Memory of Iris Verner Baxter September 2, 1918 - May 22, 2007. She was born in Wolfe City, Texas as Alma Iris Verner to Claude Thomas and Esther Alma Verner. She moved with her family to Pueblo where she graduated from Centennial High School. She married Alfred Megan (Freddie) Baxter in Colorado Springs, on June 21, 1953, and resided in San Francisco. She frequently traveled with Freddie to other countries until he passed away in 1975. Iris lived in Los Angeles, Laguna Hills, and Lakeside, California before moving back to Pueblo to be close to her mother, (Esther Farr). Iris spent her final years in Colorado Springs enjoying the views of Pikes Peak, the Garden of the Gods and Glen Eyrie. Iris was an accomplished composer, writing over 75 copyrighted songs. She worked with composers such as Buddy Feyne, Allen Stewart, and Lou Halmy. She was instrumental in the production of a record album, "The Magnificent Odyssey,", which was produced for sale during the 1984 Olympic Games. In 1990, published a book of poetry entitled, "Whisp'rings." She left behind her companion of seven years, George Tackels, and her family: daughter - Shirley Gilbert; granddaughters, Lori Friddle (Dennis) and Kristi Dubay (Michael); and great grandchildren: Ivy Sunderland (Phillip), Kylee Wells (Matthew), Arthur Dubay, and Taylor Friddle; and one great-great granddaughter, Allison Wells. She was preceded in death by her mother, her brother - Richard Verner, and her sister - Fae Bowe. Iris was a very special lady. She was an able, eloquent, compassionate, and loving person. Her love for her daughter and grandchildren was foremost in her life. She is dearly missed by her family and friends, and leaves behind a legacy of poetry and music.