John Baxter. RIP

[Tony Z]

It is with great regret i pass on the news that John Baxter recently passed away. Those that knew him would have known that he was wheelchair bound for 60 years. More than my lifetime yet John never looked back or felt sorry for himself. I can only think of the times i saw him in pain from injuries sustained in a logging accident in his mid teens, yet with great fortitude he was able continue to shoot in and win many Fclass matches. A long stalwart of the 22/250 Ackley he was deadly accurate with it as the match progressed to the point where the longer the range, the better his scores.
When you think of all the great Fclass shooters from here in the north that have gone on to represent Australia, he left an indelible mark on them with an understanding that the match aint over till its over. That it was the overall score that mattered, not one range. How many times did we all see John snatch victory from the jaws of defeat when he sat in his chair and plonked them in the center at 900 meters or a 1000 yards in deplorable mirage or wind?

It would be remiss of me not to mention that John himself made the team for the first ever world Fclass championship in Canada. Due to ill health he was unable to attend.
Johns passing like that of the big Swede Stan some years ago reminds us all of the good things the shooting sports bring us.

RIP John.

[curan]

RIP.

[RDavies]

Sad to hear he has gone, but then he had a good innings and enjoyed his time.
I remember meeting John a lot back when I started as a clueless newbie, John was always helpful and friendly. A top bloke..