Joe "J.R." Robert Baker

joe
Joe Robert "J.R." Baker, 78, passed away peacefully after a long battle with cancer at his home on Saturday, February 10, 2018. J.R. was the son of Ted Walter Baker and Essie Lois Culbertson Baker. He graduated from Leicester High School in 1958. J.R. was President of his Senior Class and was active in basketball, baseball, and football. J.R. was a veteran of the United States Air Force. He went to basic training in San Antonio, Texas, had tours of duty in Madrid, Spain and Plattsburg Air Force Base in New York. He was a retired Data Processing Manager at Taylor Instruments and also a Manager at Airborne Express. He was very active with Leicester Youth League where he coached his daughters' girls basketball teams. J.R. served on the board of Leicester Community Center for several years. He was an active member of Western Chapel United Methodist Church, where he was the former Superintendent and Chairman of the Administrative Board. J.R. had an avid love for hunting and fishing, and was President of the Leicester Bass Club. He leaves behind his wife of fifty seven years, Margaret (Duckett) Baker; his daughters, Tammy Garrett (Kenneth) and Kimberly Landreth (Damon); his grandsons, Cody Garrett (Emily), Dalton Garrett and Austin Garrett; his sister, Marjorie Icenhower; and brother-in-law Charles Duckett. Upon his passing, J.R. joined his loving granddaughter, Olivia Landreth, who passed away on May 5, 2017. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Mack Baker and sisters Olene Robinson and Martha Whitted. The family will be receiving friends on Tuesday, February 13 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. followed by the funeral service on Wednesday, February 14 at 2:00 p.m. at Groce Funeral Home on Patton Ave. Interment will follow at Western Chapel United Methodist Church, where he will be peacefully buried next to his precious granddaughter, "Papaw's Darling," Olivia Landreth. Memorials can be made to CarePartners Hospice, P.O. Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813 or to the Leicester Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 100, Leicester, NC 28748.

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  1. Margarett, Tammy, Kim and all of your family, I am so sorry for this tremendous loss in your family. J.R. was loved by everyone and he will surely be missed. May God bless and comfort your hearts today and in the days ahead.

  2. Margaret, Please accept my sympathy on the passing of J.R. Although I have not seen you two for many years, I have fond memories of Leicester High School, J. R. and you as a cheerleader. You two have been together for many years as my husband and I just celebrated 56 years together. May God wrap you in his loving arms and give you comfort and peace.

  3. Margaret, Tammy, and Kim – Grace and peace to you in this time of grief and loss, J.R has always and always will have a special place in my heart and the memory of my time as pastor at Western Chapel. J.R. did everything he possibly could to lift up the name of our Lord Jesus Christ through song and action. J.R. and I shared many days and nights fishing on either Lake Keowee or Lake Jocasse. It was during those fishing trips that J.R. and I formed a friendship that has lasted through the years. I know that J.R. is now enjoying being at home with the Lord and sharing time with ‘his’ Olivia! Joyce, Travis and I are praying for the Baker family as you celebrate J.R’s life! May God richly bless you, comfort you and keep you!!!

  4. Dear Margaret and family,
    I worked with Joe for many years at Taylor Instrument. He was an excellent employee and a close friend. He was admired by others and exemplified highest standards. Also, I know he loved his family. Alice and I extend our deepest sympathy to you and the family during this time of sadness and loss. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.

  5. I love this family more than words can express.. My heart aches for your loss but the reunion he is having now with Olivia gives me joy! God bless you all in the coming days.. I will be praying for peace and comfort..
    Love,

  6. Margaret, Tammy, Kim and family,
    I am so sorry for your loss and I know how precious he was to each of you. He was a true Man of God and he was a faithful servant everyday to everyone he was near. I loved him so much❤️ JR strengthen my faith in numerous ways.
    Today he no longer suffers and is running with Olivia❤️
    Praying for each of you

  7. Margaret and Family
    Our deepest sympathy to you and the Family. Just to let you know you are in our prayers and thoughts. May ‘The God of ALL Comfort’ be close to you now and in the coming weeks.

  8. So sorry for the loss of your loved one. He has been a trooper for so long. It is such a blessing to know he is now healed. Love and prayers

  9. I’m terribly sorry for your loss, I love you all and will be praying for your strength as you get through these next few days.

  10. To the Baker family,

    I do not know you personally and am so sorry to see where Joe passed away. I worked with him at Taylor Instrument Company back in the 60’s. Still remember him. He was always so nice and cordial to us at Taylors.
    May God grant you strength through the next few days and beyond.

  11. Mrs. Baker, Tammy and the rest of the family, I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Mr. Baker. He was a special man. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

  12. Margaret – we are dory for your loss and ours. We will be praying for you . JR will be missed by all who knew him

  13. Margaret – we are sorry for your loss and ours. We will be praying for you . JR will be missed by all who knew him.

  14. Oh Margie, we didn’t know about this. I am so very sorry. I would have tried to bring Mama to the service. This is Sharon, the one you met at Pisgah Manor when Mama and J.R. were both there. Mama just turned 90 years old and is very feeble, but we would have certainly tried to come to the service. I remember hugging J.R. the last time I saw him and told him he looked so much like my Daddy. Please know that you and your family are in our prayers. We know that we will see him again, up there with my Daddy, Ted, Mack, his sisters and precious granddaughter Olivia, and so many other loved ones. Mama is living with me. Call us any time sweet lady at 665-2608, We love you. May God bless you with comfort, strength and peace.

    Love, Sharon McMinn, Christine Baker & Family

  15. I’m so sorry to see this. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. We will all miss him, especially the Class of 1958. Rest in piece JR


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