The Shreveport Times

Monday, May 29, 2006

Obituaries

Reverend Hugh Leon Baker, Jr.

Grand Cane Community Cemetery

GRAND CANE, LA - "For the Son of man is to come with his angels in the glory of His Father, and then He will repay every man for what he has done. 'Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of man coming in His kingdom'."

Reverend Hugh L. Baker, 84, passed away Friday evening, May 26, 2006, at the Saint Francis Hospital in Monroe, LA. A faithful Christian servant, he served 45 years as a Methodist minister. He served the congregation of nine churches in the Louisiana Conference, including eight years at Christ United Methodist Church in Shreveport. A graduate of Tulane University with degrees in Micropaleontology, History and Divinity, he was an accomplished individual with an enormous love of life. During World War II, he served in the Navy as a pilot and navigator in the Pacific and East European theaters. Reverend Baker held strong belief in the freedoms of every man. He was a mason and was honored with the 33rd degree. An avid outdoorsman, he pursued astronomy, boating, and geology. He spent many hours creating jewelry, which he often gave away. His greatest asset, however, was his love of people, as he never met a stranger.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Mrs. Kathlyn Harris Baker; two children, Mrs. Kathy Mason and her husband Jim, and Congressman Richard Baker and his wife Karen; four grandchildren, Mr. Brandon Baker and his wife Caroline, Ms. Julie Baker, Mrs. Vanessa Killough and Mrs. Mindy Ramsey; two great-grandchildren, Kerrigan Ebey and Kaylyn Ramsey.

The family will receive friends at Rose-Neath's Southside Funeral Home in Shreveport, LA, Monday, May 29, 2006, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Religious services will be held at Christ United Methodist Church at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 30, 2006. Officiating will be Reverend David B. Dietzel, pastor of First United Methodist Church in Bossier City, assisted by Reverent J. Tom Logan, senior pastor of Christ United Methodist Church. Interment will follow at Grand Cane Community Cemetery in Grand Cane, LA.

Pallbearers will be Rev. Stone Caraway, Rev. Robert Burgess, Rev. William Peeples, Rev. Pat Day, Rev. Douglas Cain, Rev. Bill Blakely, Mr. Dude Middlebrooks and Congressman Richard Hugh Baker.

For those who wish to honor Rev. Baker's life, donations may be directed to the Northeast Louisiana War Veterans Home in Monroe, LA or to Christ United Methodist Church in Shreveport. The family expresses deep appreciation for the care and courtesies extended to Rev. Baker by the staff at the Veteran's Home. He would have asked his friends to honor those who have served this country well, by assisting the NELA War Veterans Home with their mission.

Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Southside Chapel, 687-1256.