George R. Baker

George R. Baker, age 94, of Clinton, departed this life peacefully on July 20 at Methodist Medical Center, surrounded by his loving family.

A decorated veteran of World War II, Mr. Baker lived a life of exemplary service to his country, his family, and fellow man.

A native of Pineville, Kentucky, he enlisted in the Army and was stationed in the South Pacific for almost four years. During the war, he was awarded several ribbons, citations, and medals, including five Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart for injuries sustained in battle. After the war, he returned home to raise a family with his wife in Harlan, Ky., while working as a superintendent in the coal mining industry.

Mr. Baker proved to be a hero, not only in combat, but in the workplace, when he risked his life, suffering serious personal injury, to save several fellow miners during a tragic explosion in 1977. He was subsequently honored by the governor of Kentucky as a Kentucky Colonel in perpetuity.

Mr. Baker was a lifelong member of Cawood Pentecostal Church and was instrumental in its construction. In recent years, he had been a member of Beechfork Holiness Church of Wartburg. The patriarch of a large and loving family, he now joins the love of his life, his wife of 67 years, his beloved “Doll,” Elsie Collett Baker.

Among others, he is preceded in death by his mother Mary Rogers Baker, father Walter Scott Baker, and stepmother Mary Messer Baker, brothers Jasper Baker and W.S. Baker Jr., sister Nora Davis, son George L. Baker and wife Dollie, and granddaughter Tara Baker.

Left to cherish his memory are his daughter Maricia Steward and husband Edward; daughter, Deborah Tweed; son, Ron Baker and wife Pamela; grandchildren Kelly Baker, Barbara Kersey and husband Brett, Jennifer Hughes and husband Matt, Michael Steward and wife Ila, Timothy Steward and wife Janet, Tyler Tweed, Emily Tweed, and Taylor Peek; great-grandchildren Melody Roach, Chelsea and Seth Steward, Jacob, Nathan, Sierra, and Riley Steward, and Cody Aslinger; and several great-great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

The family will receive friends at Sharp Funeral Home on Tuesday, July 23, from 6 to 8 p.m. Memorial services will be held, Wednesday, July 24, at 2 p.m. at Beechfork Holiness Church in Wartburg, with Rev. Herman Woods and Rev. Jerry Collins officiating. Interment will follow at Anderson Memorial Gardens in Marlow with full military honors.

Condolences and messages may be left for the family at www.sharpfh.com.