Carson B. Baker

Carson Bedford Baker, Jr., of Johnson City, passed away June 28, 2010 at Appalachian Christian Village. Mr. Baker was a native and lifelong resident of Johnson City, and the son of the late Gladys Carver Baker and Carson B. Baker, Sr. Mr. Baker was a 1943 graduate of Science Hill High School. Mr. Baker was a decorated veteran of World War II. Drafted into the Army June 10, 1943, he received basic training at Camp Barkley, Texas. In December 1943, he was sent to England and assigned as a combat medic to the 1st Battalion Medical Detachment, 47th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division. He landed in France D+4 at Utah Beach, rose to the rank of staff sergeant, and participated in Normandy, northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland, and Central Europe campaigns. Like many of his peers, he rarely spoke of his military experience or the events that led to his Silver Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart medals. After returning home from service in the war, he utilized the G. I. Bill to attend the John A. Gupton School of Mortuary Science '? graduating with the schools first graduating class and later serving on its board. Licensed in 1947, Mr. Baker began his career in funeral service with Appalachian Funeral Home. In 1966, Mr. Baker purchased Morris Funeral Home, renamed the firm Morris-Baker Funeral Home, and served as its President and Treasurer for over forty-four years. For him, his service to the community was a ministry, a calling, and a great pleasure of his life. Mr. Baker was an active member of civic organizations during his lifetime. He was a past president of the Optimist Club of Johnson City, former board member of the Johnson City Medical Center and the Johnson City/Washington County Chamber of Commerce, and an active supporter of the United Way of Washington County, TN. He was a life member of the Masonic Lodge #486 F&AM and former Worthy Patron of Chapter 194 Order of the Eastern Star. He was a member of the John Goodin Chapter of the Order of the Purple Heart and member of the Kings Mountain Post #24 of the American Legion. Mr. Baker was a lifelong member of Tacoma Church of God, where he served on various boards through the years. In addition to his parents, Mr. Baker is preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Dorothea 'Dot'? Riordan Baker. Survivors include: his wife, Betty Arrowood Baker, Johnson City; a daughter, Harriet Elizabeth Baker, Johnson City; a stepson, Dr. Tom Lee II, and his wife, Tamitha, Johnson City; four grandchildren, Lauren McKee Kenny, and her husband, Tom, Knoxville, Todd Clifford McKee, and his wife, Kate, Nashville, T. Preston McKee II, and his wife, Shuly Cawood, Johnson City, Valerie Baker McKee, and her husband Andrei Harwell, New Haven, Connecticut; three step-grandchildren, Katherine Morgan Lee, Andrew William Thomas Lee, and David Arlington Lee, all of Johnson City; seven great-grandchildren, Elizabeth Riordan Kenny and Samuel Thomas Kenny, Knoxville, John Cain McKee, Mason Bedford McKee, and Thomas Tully McKee, Nashville, and Carson Atticus McKee Harwell and Raleigh Thomas McKee Harwell, New Haven, Connecticut. Funeral services for Carson Baker will be conducted 8:00 PM Friday, July 2, 2010, in the South Chapel of Morris-Baker Funeral Home and Cremation Services. Dr. Bill Konstantopoulos will officiate. Pallbearers will be the staff of Morris-Baker Funeral Home & Cremation Services. Burial will follow committal services conducted 10:00 AM Saturday at Monte Vista Memorial Park. Family and friends will meet at Morris-Baker by 9:40 AM Saturday to go in procession to the cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM Friday at the funeral home.