Carl Reed Baker

Carl Reed Baker passed away peacefully on Sunday November 23, 2014 at the age of 88 in Cartersville Medical Center after a long illness. Carl was born on February 24, 1926 in Parsons, Tennessee. His parents were Pearl Baker Brasher and Herman Baker of Parsons, Tennessee. Step-father Henry Brasher. He has one sister, Doris Nell Scott who lives in Parsons Tennessee. He never lost his love for his hometown of Parsons and visited his family there for many holidays year after year. After graduating from Parsons High School he entered the United States Navy and served his country in the Pacific theater until the end of World War II. During the Navy he developed a good friendship with fellow serviceman Buck Carter who took him to his home for dinner. There Carl met Buck’s little sister Janie and the rest is history. They married on May 4,1947. Carl spent almost all of his working life as a salesman for the Bemis Brothers Bag Co, now Bemis Inc. Carl used his considerable determination to work his way up from an invoice clerk in the mail room to the company’s top salesman earning the “Top Cat” award on numerous occasions. Some of his more noteworthy accounts included the Pennington Seed Company, Dixie Crystals Sugar, Sunshine Dog Food, Stivers Best Cornmeal and Georgia Marble. Because of his intense loyalty and service to his customers, Carl was able to continue his outstanding sales record even though Bemis' bags were not the least expensive on the market. The company kept the family on the move and Carl and Janie lived not only in Cartersville, but also Houston, Norfolk, Orlando, and Kennesaw. He retired from Bemis in 1993 and moved back to Cartersville permanently.

And yet Carl was not all work and no play. He loved family get together over meals, motorcycles, boats but he especially loved games. The game he loved the most was golf and he played incessantly. During his adult life Carl had two “holes in one” and shot a score that was equal or lower than his age several times. Carl played left handed and always maintained that if he played right handed he would “have to go on tour”. He served as President for the Georgia Seniors Golf Association and was a member for many years. He also served on the rules and committee board. When he was not playing golf he watched it on TV or in person. He attended the Masters Golf tournament in Augusta every year that he was able for 30 plus years.

He was an active member of Sam Jones United Methodist Church until declining health limited his attendance. He especially loved his Sunday School Class, the Bible Seekers, serving as President for several years and bible studies including Disciple.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Janie Baker of Cartersville, his son Dennis Baker of Cartersville, his daughter and son in law Carlene and Ted Perry of White, his grandchildren Terri Gauldin (Chris), Carter Baker (Amanda), Janna Self, Trey Novotny (Heather), and Alice Perry and 8 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Doris and nephews and nieces from Tennessee.

The funeral will be Saturday November 29, 2014 at 11:00 am at Sam Jones United Methodist Church. Visitation for family and friends will be Friday November 28, 2014 from 5:00-7:00 pm at Owen Funeral Home. Burial will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens following the service.

Please visit www.owenfunerals.com to leave condolences for the family.

Owen Funeral Home, 12 Collins Drive, Cartersville, GA, has charge of the funeral arrangements.