Baxter Ephraim Andruss

Baxter E. Andruss "Andy" passed away on Feb. 14, 2025 at the age of 99. He was born on July 1, 1925 to Ephraim and Oral Andruss in Milbourne, AR. Baxter spent his early years in Arkansas until the family moved to Vancouver to work in the ship yards during World War II. Baxter took a job in the ship yards, then later worked as a cook at the Camas paper mill and other jobs. His last job was driving an oil truck for a man named Charlie Work who had horses including a really good Quarter Horse stallion. While living in Arkansas, Baxter spent his summers at his Uncle Floyd's ranch learning to ride and drive a team of horses. His uncle gave him a white pony named Jake. His love for horses had begun. On weekends, Baxter and his friends would borrow some of the farmers riding horses and match race them down by the river. Afterward they would be bathed, cooled down and return to their owners. Another passion had been born, one of speed. As luck would have it, meeting Charlie Work would send him on a career path that would last for 60 years. Not only did he train all of Charlie's horses but Charlie introduced him to others and his training career was off and running. With strength and determination, attention to detail, tireless work and a whole lot of stubbornness, Baxter became a dominate force at the race tracks in the Northwest having as many as 40 horses at a time in his training stable. Through the years Baxter promoted Quarter Horse racing everywhere he went convincing track secretaries to approve Quarter Horse racing. Move over Thoroughbreds, there's a new breed in town. In April of 2007, the Oregon Quarter Horse Assoc. named its Oregon Bred Juvenile race after him: The Baxter Andruss Oregon Bred Futurity. In 2011 at the age of 86, he won the leading trainers title at Portland Meadows for the last time, and at the age of 90, hung up his trainers license. Baxter was preceded in death by his first wife, Betty; parents, Ephraim and Oral Andruss; sister, Lois Jones; and brother, Diz Andruss. Baxter is survived by his second wife, Chris Philbrook; sister, Della Miller; daughters, Terri (James) Marsh and Susie (William) Vincent; grandchildren, Lorrie Marsh, Lisa (Ryan) Greene, Bobby Jo (Justin) Olsen, Danelle (John) Wagner, Willy Vincent; six great-grandchildren and 12 great-great-grandchildren. The family would like to thank Peace Health, Kaiser Hospice, and Anastasiya for all your care and kindness during this difficult time. A service will be held at Evergreen Memorial Gardens, 1101 NE 112th Avenue, Vancouver, WA on Feb. 28, at 12:30 p.m. with viewing from 10 a.m. to noon.In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the charity of your choice in memory of Baxter.

Baxter Ephraim Andruss

July 1, 1925 - February 14, 2025