Col. John C. Baxley, born on July 10, 1930, in Hawthorne, Fla., passed away last Friday morning, April 29, 2011, at the Brooks San Marco Terrace Rehabilitation Center at the age of 80.
He achieved the rank of master sergeant in the Florida National Guard and spent many years in law enforcement in Levy County, Fla., but became best known for his association with Kentucky Fried Chicken, opening the first KFC stores in Gainesville, Ocala and parts of South Georgia, when there was only a handful in existence.
In the early 1960s, he brought KFC to St. Augustine, Fla., and the local franchise continues to be owned by his eldest son, Chris.
After retirement, a similarity in appearance to Col. Sanders was pointed out, and, after obtaining the honorary status of Kentucky Colonel, he became an ambassador for KFC all over the world in his familiar white suit and cane, with the trademark glasses, beard and goatee.
There was never a time he would decline a request for a "photo with the Colonel" by the thousands who asked, whether in Indianapolis, Ind., or Tokyo, Japan.
Receiving Christ as his personal Savior at a young age, he was a member of the Baptist faith wherever he lived, serving many leadership positions in his local church, including that of an ordained deacon. He also served as the volunteer coordinator for disaster relief with the Florida Baptist Convention for many years.
During his years in St. Augustine, he was a founding member of the Anastasia Baptist Mission, which successfully grew into the church it is today.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Horace L. and Pansy Baxley; two brothers, Sidney J. Baxley, and Wilbur "Doc" Baxley; and a sister, Ruth Baxley.
His survivors (and their spouses) include his brother, Ronald L. Baxley (Nancy); his five sons, Chris (Gayle), Rick (Barbara), Ken (Jamie), Keith (Kathy) and Jerry (Shelly); the mother of his sons, Aline Baxley; 12 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his wife, Charlotte Borders Baxley, of Anniston, Ala.
Funeral services will be held at Anastasia Baptist Church starting at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, May 3, 2011, with a procession to the Craig Memorial Park immediately afterward.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Anastasia Baptist Church Building Fund, 1650 A1A South, St. Augustine, Fla. 32080 are welcome.
Craig Funeral Home Crematory Memorial Park is in charge of arrangements.
St. Augustine Record, May 1 2011
(Contribution by Susan Find-a-Grave volunteer)
In the photo over to the right, John was on a cross country campaign against hunger for KFC, where he worked as a volunteer. KFC donated a dollar for every car horn toot he received. John looked the part in real life & had been a stand-in for many years. He will be missed by many.
He achieved the rank of master sergeant in the Florida National Guard and spent many years in law enforcement in Levy County, Fla., but became best known for his association with Kentucky Fried Chicken, opening the first KFC stores in Gainesville, Ocala and parts of South Georgia, when there was only a handful in existence.
In the early 1960s, he brought KFC to St. Augustine, Fla., and the local franchise continues to be owned by his eldest son, Chris.
After retirement, a similarity in appearance to Col. Sanders was pointed out, and, after obtaining the honorary status of Kentucky Colonel, he became an ambassador for KFC all over the world in his familiar white suit and cane, with the trademark glasses, beard and goatee.
There was never a time he would decline a request for a "photo with the Colonel" by the thousands who asked, whether in Indianapolis, Ind., or Tokyo, Japan.
Receiving Christ as his personal Savior at a young age, he was a member of the Baptist faith wherever he lived, serving many leadership positions in his local church, including that of an ordained deacon. He also served as the volunteer coordinator for disaster relief with the Florida Baptist Convention for many years.
During his years in St. Augustine, he was a founding member of the Anastasia Baptist Mission, which successfully grew into the church it is today.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Horace L. and Pansy Baxley; two brothers, Sidney J. Baxley, and Wilbur "Doc" Baxley; and a sister, Ruth Baxley.
His survivors (and their spouses) include his brother, Ronald L. Baxley (Nancy); his five sons, Chris (Gayle), Rick (Barbara), Ken (Jamie), Keith (Kathy) and Jerry (Shelly); the mother of his sons, Aline Baxley; 12 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his wife, Charlotte Borders Baxley, of Anniston, Ala.
Funeral services will be held at Anastasia Baptist Church starting at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, May 3, 2011, with a procession to the Craig Memorial Park immediately afterward.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Anastasia Baptist Church Building Fund, 1650 A1A South, St. Augustine, Fla. 32080 are welcome.
Craig Funeral Home Crematory Memorial Park is in charge of arrangements.
St. Augustine Record, May 1 2011
(Contribution by Susan Find-a-Grave volunteer)
In the photo over to the right, John was on a cross country campaign against hunger for KFC, where he worked as a volunteer. KFC donated a dollar for every car horn toot he received. John looked the part in real life & had been a stand-in for many years. He will be missed by many.
Col. John C. Baxley, born on July 10, 1930, in Hawthorne, Fla., passed away last Friday morning, April 29, 2011, at the Brooks San Marco Terrace Rehabilitation Center at the age of 80.
He achieved the rank of master sergeant in the Florida National Guard and spent many years in law enforcement in Levy County, Fla., but became best known for his association with Kentucky Fried Chicken, opening the first KFC stores in Gainesville, Ocala and parts of South Georgia, when there was only a handful in existence.
In the early 1960s, he brought KFC to St. Augustine, Fla., and the local franchise continues to be owned by his eldest son, Chris.
After retirement, a similarity in appearance to Col. Sanders was pointed out, and, after obtaining the honorary status of Kentucky Colonel, he became an ambassador for KFC all over the world in his familiar white suit and cane, with the trademark glasses, beard and goatee.
There was never a time he would decline a request for a "photo with the Colonel" by the thousands who asked, whether in Indianapolis, Ind., or Tokyo, Japan.
Receiving Christ as his personal Savior at a young age, he was a member of the Baptist faith wherever he lived, serving many leadership positions in his local church, including that of an ordained deacon. He also served as the volunteer coordinator for disaster relief with the Florida Baptist Convention for many years.
During his years in St. Augustine, he was a founding member of the Anastasia Baptist Mission, which successfully grew into the church it is today.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Horace L. and Pansy Baxley; two brothers, Sidney J. Baxley, and Wilbur "Doc" Baxley; and a sister, Ruth Baxley.
His survivors (and their spouses) include his brother, Ronald L. Baxley (Nancy); his five sons, Chris (Gayle), Rick (Barbara), Ken (Jamie), Keith (Kathy) and Jerry (Shelly); the mother of his sons, Aline Baxley; 12 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his wife, Charlotte Borders Baxley, of Anniston, Ala.
Funeral services will be held at Anastasia Baptist Church starting at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, May 3, 2011, with a procession to the Craig Memorial Park immediately afterward.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Anastasia Baptist Church Building Fund, 1650 A1A South, St. Augustine, Fla. 32080 are welcome.
Craig Funeral Home Crematory Memorial Park is in charge of arrangements.
St. Augustine Record, May 1 2011
(Contribution by Susan Find-a-Grave volunteer)
In the photo over to the right, John was on a cross country campaign against hunger for KFC, where he worked as a volunteer. KFC donated a dollar for every car horn toot he received. John looked the part in real life & had been a stand-in for many years. He will be missed by many.
He achieved the rank of master sergeant in the Florida National Guard and spent many years in law enforcement in Levy County, Fla., but became best known for his association with Kentucky Fried Chicken, opening the first KFC stores in Gainesville, Ocala and parts of South Georgia, when there was only a handful in existence.
In the early 1960s, he brought KFC to St. Augustine, Fla., and the local franchise continues to be owned by his eldest son, Chris.
After retirement, a similarity in appearance to Col. Sanders was pointed out, and, after obtaining the honorary status of Kentucky Colonel, he became an ambassador for KFC all over the world in his familiar white suit and cane, with the trademark glasses, beard and goatee.
There was never a time he would decline a request for a "photo with the Colonel" by the thousands who asked, whether in Indianapolis, Ind., or Tokyo, Japan.
Receiving Christ as his personal Savior at a young age, he was a member of the Baptist faith wherever he lived, serving many leadership positions in his local church, including that of an ordained deacon. He also served as the volunteer coordinator for disaster relief with the Florida Baptist Convention for many years.
During his years in St. Augustine, he was a founding member of the Anastasia Baptist Mission, which successfully grew into the church it is today.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Horace L. and Pansy Baxley; two brothers, Sidney J. Baxley, and Wilbur "Doc" Baxley; and a sister, Ruth Baxley.
His survivors (and their spouses) include his brother, Ronald L. Baxley (Nancy); his five sons, Chris (Gayle), Rick (Barbara), Ken (Jamie), Keith (Kathy) and Jerry (Shelly); the mother of his sons, Aline Baxley; 12 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his wife, Charlotte Borders Baxley, of Anniston, Ala.
Funeral services will be held at Anastasia Baptist Church starting at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, May 3, 2011, with a procession to the Craig Memorial Park immediately afterward.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Anastasia Baptist Church Building Fund, 1650 A1A South, St. Augustine, Fla. 32080 are welcome.
Craig Funeral Home Crematory Memorial Park is in charge of arrangements.
St. Augustine Record, May 1 2011
(Contribution by Susan Find-a-Grave volunteer)
In the photo over to the right, John was on a cross country campaign against hunger for KFC, where he worked as a volunteer. KFC donated a dollar for every car horn toot he received. John looked the part in real life & had been a stand-in for many years. He will be missed by many.
