Johnny Roy Baker

Johnny Roy Baker, 77, of Vidor died Wednesday, September 3, 2003 at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont. A native of Lindsay, Oklahoma, Johnny was born July 4, 1927 and lived in Vidor 41 years. He was a veteran of the US Army and served his country on tour of duty in Japan from 1947-1950, receiving an honorable discharge. He received a Bachelors Degree of Science from East Central State University in Ada, Oklahoma. He went on to receive his Masters in Education from Stephen F. Austin State University. He was pursuing his Doctorate Degree from University of Texas in Tyler, when he retired in 1989. Johnny retired from Lufkin Independent School District where he was employed for 10 years. Prior to moving to Lufkin, he was employed by Vidor Independent School District for 17 years. During his service in Vidor, he served as a teacher as well as administrator, and the last 7 of those years as assistant principal at Vidor Jr. High School. He was very active in the community where he was honored in 1973with an “Honorable Lifetime Membership” to the Evening Optimist Club, as well as the Optimist Governor’s Award for percentage of enrollment of new members in the State of Texas. He was instrumental in developing and implementing, along with other Optimist Club members, the “Jubilee Days,” now known as the Texas BBQ Festival. He also developed the girl’s basketball program at Vidor Jr. High School, and coached many years in the Vidor Little League, Pony and Colt Baseball Leagues. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday September 6, 2003 at Cornerstone Baptist Church in Vidor, under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home of Vidor, with burial to follow at Restlawn Memorial Park in Vidor. Visitation will begin at 6:00 p.m. Friday September 5, 2003 at Memorial Funeral Home of Vidor Johnny is preceded in death by his parents, Frederick and Katie Baker, as well as a brother and two sisters. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Dorothy Swain Baker, daughter and son-in-law, Janet and J.L. Cascio, son and daughter-in-law, Ronnie and Molly Baker, and son David Baker, all of Vidor; four grandchildren, Ryan and wife Shelley Brawley, Brooke Brown, Colby Baker, and Casey Baker; two sisters, Lena Wood and Frances Wood of Oklahoma. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Cornerstone Baptist Church in Vidor to the Building Fund.

Cemetery:
Restlawn Memorial Park 2725 N. Main St. Vidor, TX 77662 (map/driving directions)

Visitation:
6:00 PM to 10:00 PM at Memorial Funeral Home of Vidor 1750 Hwy Vidor, TX on September 5, 2003 (map/driving directions) Memorial Funeral Home of Vidor 1750 Hwy Vidor, TX (map/driving directions)

Service:
2:00 PM at Cornerstone Baptist Church 125 Evangeline DR. Vidor, TX 77662 on September 6, 2003 (map/driving directions)