Daddy's Eulogy

Milton Keith Baker was born on March 11, 1936 in Sunflower County Mississippi to Merritt Albirtis and Effie Evelyn Baker. He is survived by his son Stanley Baker and Wife Cindi Baker, Daughter Deborah Lynn Baker; sisters, Iris Green of Indianola and Thelda Patrick of Odessa Texas; brother, Dennis Aaron Baker of Brandon; two grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Claudine Arnold Baker; and grandson Matthew Ryon Baker.

My Father gained his strong work ethic from his parents who were sharecroppers, Mamaw and Papaw Baker. They eventually bought a farm and Dad learned what hard work and discipline was growing up on that family farm with a brother and two sisters. Some of my favorite stories from him are about times spent in the woods with his brother and how they caught baby coons and brought them to the house to raise. How the coons would steal sugar cubes from a bowl to eat and try and wash it. He would laugh about the way they would look for it when it dissolved. His stories about farming practices back then would sound like fairy tales to young folks today. Dealing with stubborn mules and slopping hogs, hunting rabbits with sticks for food, on and on the stories would go. He attended Linn schools and when ciphering a math problem, the discussion would sometimes end with "that's the way we did it at Linn University."

Daddy left school in the 11th grade and joined the Navy. Story goes he went with his cousin and another fellow to watch them enlist and the other two bailed out and Daddy was the one who enlisted. He would talk about his bus rides to San Diego and Long Beach to the naval base and how the bus once hit a skunk and he had to live with that smell for most of the trip. Many times he would reminisce about what Hong Kong harbor looked like. A floating city with sampans all around the port and families living on them. He talked about Japan and how the snowcapped peaks of Mount Fuji rose from the sky above the clouds and Navy life in general.  Being a gunner's mate required him to sit in a tub above the deck of the carrier he was on, apparently a fairly impressive place to be in rough seas. He married my mother Claudine Arnold on January 11, 1956 while in the Navy.

Dad then returned to the Delta and commenced work, had children, and chose the trade of being a refrigeration mechanic. He studied into the wee hours of the morning learning his trade. The work was labor intensive and many times in poor or difficult conditions. Daddy was a fair and honest man that gave a good service for a fair price, traits he learned from his parents. Every time the phone rang on the weekends he would answer. His customers and livelihood were important to him. He was helpful to others in his field and consistently acted as a mentor and sounding board for their problems. One of his favorite sayings was "Don't worry about the mule just load the wagon". Dad was not afraid of work.

Dad worked for over 40 years for Green Refrigeration, until his health would no longer allow him to. During those years he developed relationships and friendships that would last the rest of his life. The Eagle, a hair follicle reference, greeted every day with a fervor and desire to get the work done following a quick breakfast which was always something on a biscuit with jelly and coffee.

Simple pleasures were what he seemed to enjoy the most. Fishing, hunting, and spending time with his family. Days in the field with family and friends hunting rabbits and deer were some of my favorites. Get togethers for holidays and special occasions, fish fries, making homemade ice cream, playing cards and dominoes with our friends and loved ones are burned into my mind. There are so many special memories that will help us get through this difficult period.

My Father never talked much about his Faith in Christ, but he assured me that Jesus was his Lord and Savior. We don't truly know how we will think or feel in heaven but somehow I hope he has reunited with those he loved so much on earth. I hope the Father greets him at the pearly gates with open arms and I imagine Dad will start asking "why" questions like a 5 year old.  Heaven may just be a place where everyone loves each other without prejudice. If only we could have that here on earth.

Dad wasn't much for drama and if he was here today he would tell us "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened." If he could have his wish this would be one last time to tell old stories and pick fun at one another, have good food and then he could leave this world without fanfare or mourning.

He could be stubborn, difficult, and just plain hardheaded, a genetic trait I have observed in numerous folks in our family. He was a mentor, a Father, a husband, provider, friend who was honest, fair, kind, courteous and well respected in his community. I know he is in a place where there is no more pain and suffering and time just doesn't exist. I will miss my Father, he was an earthly anchor for me and a source of advice and comfort.

Thanks for supporting our family in this difficult time and may God Bless each of you.

The family will receive friends Friday, December 14, 2018 from 10:30 am until 11:30 am at Burton Funeral Home in Indianola.  Graveside services will follow at 11:45 am at Indianola City Cemetery.
Burton Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105.

Online condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.burtonfuneralhome.net