John Bee Baker, Jr. passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 21, 2016 at the age of 89. He grew up in Clarksdale, MS where he graduated from high school in 1945 receiving recognition for scholastic achievement. That same year he joined the Navy and was Honorably discharged in July of 1946. John studied at Mississippi State where he was a member of many scholastic organizations, honor societies, and was president of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity. He graduated with a B.S. in Botany. John continued his education at the University of Wisconsin earning a PhD in Plant Physiology. In 1953, John was hired by LSU to teach and work in research on weed control in rice crops in Louisiana and around the world. He was employed by LSU for 38 years and ended his career as Head of his Department. John held many positions of responsibility in organizations related to his field and received countless honors, awards and recognitions for the service he gave to the study of weed sciences. A life long Methodist, John attended First Methodist Church where he met and married Mildred Myrtle Bullock in May 1956. They made their home in Baton Rouge for the 59 years they were married and were active at University United Methodist for over 50 years. They often entertained family and friends, especially graduate students from rice growing countries around the world. John B. Baker was a godly, humble man with a servant heart whom in his quiet, methodical, unassuming way the Lord used to accomplish great things. He was a great blessing to all who knew him and he was unwaveringly dedicated to his wife and family. To John’s great sadness Myrtle preceded him in death in January 2015. He is survived by his daughters Susan Hiemenz and Joan Baker, Susan’s husband J.J. Hiemenz, his grandsons, John (wife Amy) of New York, NY and grandson Clark of Baton Rouge. Visitation will be held at Greenoaks Funeral Home on Thursday, September 29, 2016 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Visitation will continue at University United Methodist Church, Friday September 30, 2016 from 9:00 AM until the service at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow on the grounds of Greenoaks Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to University United Methodist Church or The Michael J. Fox Parkinson’s Foundation.
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