William Alfred “Pete” Baker, 88, of Port Arthur, died Saturday, May 4, 2013. Born April 23, 1925, in Panola County, Pete was the son of Ollie Mae Cassity and James “Jimmie” Monroe Baker of Carthage. He was a United States World War II Navy veteran, having served in the Pacific. In 1985, he retired from Gulf Oil Refinery after thirty-eight years as a boilermaker. Pete was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Port Acres and a fifty year member of Groves Masonic Lodge. He had a passion for cars and spent most of his time restoring and collecting automobiles and was a member of the Gulf Coast Antique Car Club, AACA Car Club and Model A Ford Club.
Pete is survived by his children, Gary Baker and his wife, Barbara, of Paige; Rita Darlene “Panki” Foster of Groves; Bonnie David of Paige; Bill Baker and his wife, Sjonneke of Carthage; and Marla Branham of Port Arthur; first wife, Ruth Hemphill Beck of Paige; grandchildren, James, Danny, Charles, David, Lisa, Niki, Danny, Shaun, Brian, Chris, Nathan, Seth, Lawrence, Travis and Brandi; great-grandchildren, Jacob, Kira, Allison, Ian, Christina, Jonathan, Bradley, Caleb, Jordan, Amber, Cody, Kelsey, Sara, Blayne, Anthony, Ashley, MaKayla, Sydney, Kinley and Olivia; great-great-grandchildren, Justin, Dyan, Izabell, Alex, Howl, Riley and Ayla; sister, Frances Reid and her husband, EH “Buck” of Carthage; and special love and friend, Doris Davis of Port Arthur. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Genevieve Boutte Baker; his daughter, Vickie Odom; and his son, Jerry Baker.
He will be missed by numerous friends and neighbors.
A gathering of Mr. Baker’s family and friends will be from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Tuesday evening, May 7, 2013, at Broussard’s, 505 North 12th Street, Nederland. His funeral service will be 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, May 8, 2013, with Reverend Jeff Bell of Calvary Baptist Church officiating, at Broussard’s Chapel, with burial to follow at Memory Gardens of Jefferson County, Nederland. Masonic services are provided by Groves Masonic Lodge.
Memorial contributions may be made to Calvary Baptist Church, 2208 Canal Street, Port Acres, Texas 77640.
