Rev. J. E. Baker

Rev. J. E. Baker of Farmington passed away on Sunday, December 30, 2007, at Camelot Nursing Center at the age of 87 years. Brother Baker was born on July 16, 1920, at Greely, MO, the son of the late Amos and Lillie (Radford) Baker. He was also preceded in death by four brothers, Montie, Clarence, Bill, and Johnnie Lee Baker, and a sister, Geneva (Baker) Crocker. Rev. Baker was saved at the Flat River Assembly of God Church at the tender age of 12. He picked up song books and did whatever he could do in order to work for the Lord; shortly after he accepted the call to preach the Gospel and gave his first sermon at the age of 12 at the Elvins Assembly of God Church. Rev. Baker preached revivals and pastored several churches in this area and throughout the state touching many lives. At the age of 19, he and his wife Mae took his younger siblings into their home to raise. He worked and preached and received many blessings from the Lord. He was licensed to preach on November 23, 1948, then ordained with the Assembly of God on May 1, 1952. His total service in the ministry was more than 65 years. His camping friends know him as the preaching fisherman. He fished on Saturdays and held services on Sunday mornings by the lake side. Rev. Baker was a member of the Bismarck Assembly of God Church. He will be missed by all who knew him, including the staff and friends at Camelot Nursing and Rehab Center. Rev. Baker says, Do not weep. I have fought a good fight and finished the course and now I am enjoying my final reward. He is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Mae (Skaggs) Baker, a son Ronald Baker and wife Diana of Farmington, a daughter, Patsy Lacey and husband Bob of Bismarck, and four grandchildren, DeAnna Wisdom and husband Rick, Nancy Neal and husband Tim all of Bismarck, Rick Baker and wife Kim of Bonne Terre, and Douglas Baker of Farmington; six great-grandchildren, Landon Wisdom and wife Lynne, Casey Fisher and Collin Fisher, all of Bismarck, Lacey Bauman and husband Jason of Ste. Genevieve, Shane Petty and Lindsey Petty of Bonne Terre; two great-great-grandchildren, Hannah and Jacey Mae Bauman of Ste. Genevieve; special nieces and nephews, Danny and Harold Crocker, Sandy Halbrook, Claudine Meyers, and Brenda Rivera, all of St. Louis. Many more nieces, nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends also survive. Friends may call at Cozean Memorial Chapel from 4 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, January 1, 2008. Visitation will resume at the Bismarck Assembly of God Church on Wednesday from 9 to 11 a.m. A funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. with Pastor Mike Barton officiating. Burial with Full Military Honors will be at the Doe Run Memorial Cemetery.