of West Helena, AR
March 19, 1924 - February 20, 2020
Windon Baker just never got over the fact that "God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." On Thursday, February 20, 2020, at the age of 95, Windon met his Savior face-to-face and began the rest of Eternity in His presence. He was born to the late Windon, Sr., and Margaret (Schafer) Baker in West Helena, Arkansas, on March 19, 1924. He died just blocks from where he was born. He was the oldest of five children.
He began working at a very early age to help support his family due to his father's ill health. He worked as a caddy at the Helena Country Club, Raff Meat Market and Safeway before joining the Army. He was a graduate of Woodruff High School in West Helena. He was a veteran of World War II, enlisting in 1943 and serving in the South Pacific with the 37th Infantry Division until the end of the war in 1945. He fought in major battles on Bougainville in the Solomon Islands and Luzon and Manila in the Philippines. He attained the rank of Sergeant and was the recipient of three Bronze Service Stars, the World War II Victory Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon, the Philippines Liberation Ribbon, the Meritorious Unit Award and one Gold Star.
Upon his return from the war, he earned his private pilot's license, became an avid motorcyclist and attended the University of Arkansas. He was a radio dispatcher for the Arkansas State Police in Harrison and Forrest City, Arkansas. While working as a dispatcher, he met Delorese Meals of Forrest City, and subsequently accepted the Lord as his Savior. The couple married in 1949. He worked for his father-in-law for eight years at City Garage in Forrest City where he became a skilled mechanic. In 1957, he was employed by Sanders Auto Supply, the Buick and Pontiac dealership in Helena, as a Parts and later Service Manager. In 1970, he and his wife opened Baker's Grocery, and together they shared their faith as they worked in their neighborhood store. After retirement, they enjoyed traveling and camping.
Windon considered the members of Second Baptist Church his extended family. He faithfully served his Lord there as a deacon and Sunday School teacher for almost sixty years. He was known for his concern for both his family and his church family and for his constancy in prayer for them.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of sixty-two years, and his four siblings: John Bill Baker, Robert Baker, Shirley Kimberling and Jackie Finney.
Surviving him are his children and their spouses who he also considered his children: Deborah and David Rowan of Benton, Arkansas, Dr. Barry and Joni Baker of Senatobia, MS, and Barry's twin, Terry, and husband Fred Garrison of Barton, Arkansas. He was blessed to have four grandchildren: Holly Jones (Jarrett), Jarrett Baker, Brock Garrison (Amber) and Seth Baker. Calling him Dan-Dan are his great-grandchildren Blakeleigh Garrison, Ashton Jones, Eden Garrison and Dane Garrison. He is also survived by a brother-in-law, Bob Kimberling of Houston, Texas, and a sister-in-law, Mary Olivia Wood of Earle, Arkansas, as well as a host of nieces and nephews.
Honorary pall bearers will be the members of his Sunday School class, The Fishermen. Serving as pall bearers will be Jarrett Baker, Seth Baker, Brock Garrison, Fred Garrison, Jarrett Jones and David Rowan.
The funeral service will be held at 2:00 on Tuesday, February 25, 2020, at Second Baptist Church, Third and Baldwin, with visitation beginning at 12:30. Drs. Barry Baker and Randy Williamson will officiate. Interment will be at Sunset Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Second Baptist Church, P.O. Box 2505, West Helena, AR 72390, or the Gideons Helena Camp, P.O. Box 3258, West Helena, AR 72390 or Arkansas Baptist Children's Homes and Family Ministries, Monticello Campus, 10 Remington Drive, Little Rock, AR 72204
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18 Condolence(s)
Deborah Snell
Tuesday, August 25, 2020
I remember Mr. and Mrs. Baker as faithful and loving people in the community during my childhood. They genuinely cared for souls and ran their business with great integrity. One Sunday the Lord sent Mr. Baker to witness to my father and in just a few minutes he was on his knees accepting Jesus ad his Saviour. What a beautiful example of a faithful praying Christian Mr. Baker was and our lives were impacted by his example and his wife's life!
Katherine Brown Terry
Wednesday, February 26, 2020
I also grew up knowing all of the Bakers. I use to walk to their store all of the time and will always remember Mr. Baker with such great regards. I will keep you all in prayers during this time of Grief...
Kathy Brown Terry
Kingdom Believers Church
Tuesday, February 25, 2020
Pastor Terrance D. Pryor & Lady Alexondra Pryor & Kingdom Believers Church Family, We share with you in your hour of Bereavement. May God Continue To Give You Strength !!!
Deborah Denney
Monday, February 24, 2020
So sorry for your loss. I grew up on 20 Edgewood Circle. I was telling my friends the other day about Bakers Grocery Store and most of all how The Bakers would let me and my brother and other neighborhood kids rides to church. I always thought alot of this family.
Suzanne Brown White
Monday, February 24, 2020
So very sorry to read about your loss. God bless you all and prayers,
Bobby & Ann Gassaway
Sunday, February 23, 2020
Your parents were a very sweet couple. So nice to everyone. Hold on to your memories for they will see you thru the days ahead.
Matt 18:20
Larry Bean
Saturday, February 22, 2020
A lot of memories and blessed to have known Mr. Baker and family. My prayers are with you.
Larry Bean youngest of Chester and Ouida Bean family.
Ruby Richardson Mckinney
Friday, February 21, 2020
Fred,Terry and family: so sorry of the loss of Mr Baker. May the Lord be real close with each of you during this time. God Bless ðŸ™ðŸ»
Chris Burson
Friday, February 21, 2020
My family loved the Bakers. Our family church with them and we lived across the street from the store. They were like second parents to the kids in the neighborhood. God bless Mr. Baker and his family. He touched so many lives. I have the family in my thoughts and prayers.
Clara McClure Williamson
Friday, February 21, 2020
Debbie, Terry & family, so very sorry for the loss of your Dad. May God's peace & love give you comfort. Prayers for all.
Phil Dunavan
Friday, February 21, 2020
First, sorry to hear this. I am proud to say I worked with Windon at Sanders Auto in Helena in the 70's.
He had a good influence on me & I learned a lot from him about how to treat people.
Cathy Johnston
Friday, February 21, 2020
Terry and family, sorry to hear of the loss of Mr. Baker. He was a great Christian man and will be truly missed by all who knew him. I know he and your mom are rejoicing in heaven now. Prayers for peace and comfort during this time.
Wesley Courser
Friday, February 21, 2020
Mr. Baker and his wife were wonderful Christian people. I had the privilege of knowing them when I attended the same church with them. We will be praying for the family during this time.
jim mayer
Friday, February 21, 2020
Windon was always a kind gracious gentleman respected by all. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Jim Mayer
Howard White
Friday, February 21, 2020
Always looked up to Bro. Baker. Seemed to have a smile and kind words all the time
Wilma Freeman Mallard
Friday, February 21, 2020
Brother Baker was a great man of God. I respected, admired, and loved him and your mom. Scotty and I have your family in our prayers. It’s so difficult losing a precious loved one, but so awesome to know they will spend eternity with our Heavenly Father and to know that some day we will join them there. Sending you love and hugs. Wilma
Debbie Ferebee
Friday, February 21, 2020
I know how much Mr. Baker is going to be missed. He was a very sweet man. I know he is glad to be with his Lord and his wife. I'm blessed to have know him. God bless all of his family.
Millard Jr Swindle
Friday, February 21, 2020
I Kew the Bakers for many Years and went to Church with them, We all were very close Friends, Loved them so very Much and What they Stood for as Christians! GOD BLESS The Family!