ST. MARY PARISH, LA. 

Obituary for: BAKER, JOSEPH RODNEY, SR.

Submitted by: Louis Lavedan. 

Source: Franklin Banner-Tribune, Morgan City Daily Review; St. Mary Parish, La. 

Published 23 August 2011

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BAKER, JOSEPH RODNEY, SR.
Jan. 13, 1922 Ñ Aug. 22, 2011

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Joseph Rodney Baker Sr., 89, a native of Crowley and longtime resident of 
Morgan City, died Monday, Aug. 22, 2011, at Teche Regional Medical Center in 
Morgan City.

Mr. Baker is survived by his daughter Sandy and her husband Terry Mayon of 
Morgan City; two sons, Ronnie Baker of Morgan City and Mike Baker and his wife 
Carla of Berwick; a daughter-in-law, Peggy R. Baker of Stephensville; 15 
grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren. Mr. 
Baker also is survived by his great friend and longtime companion, Mrs. Billye 
Grice of Morgan City.

Mr. Baker was preceded in death by his parents, Clebert and Leona Dequeant 
Baker; his wife of 45 years, Shirley Hargroder Baker; his son, Gregory Baker 
Sr.; a sister, Hilda B. Simon; and a brother, Harry Baker.

Joe Baker was one of AmericaÕs and World War IIÕs quiet heroes. He joined the 
U.S. Navy at the beginning of the war and served until the Japanese surrender 
in 1945. He was a proud member of the famed U.S. Naval AirÕs PBY ÒBlack CatÓ 
Squadron. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and two U.S. Navy Air 
Medals for heroism while serving in the Pacific Theater of Operations.

After the war, Joe returned to his wifeÕs hometown of Opelousas and began his 
family. A few years later, he moved to Lafayette and finally, in 1965, moved to 
Morgan City where he worked and managed The Shoe House until his retirement.

Mr. Baker loved to teach and helped numerous people in the Morgan City area to 
learn how to read and write English, and as a member of the St. Mary Parish 
AARP, taught classes in conversational Cajun French.

In later years he was able to attend many ÒBlack Cat SquadronÓ reunions and get 
reacquainted with his wartime friends and brothers of Naval Air. He enjoyed his 
role as father and grandfather and reveled during the holidays. He especially 
loved his role as ÒJoe Claus,Ó brother of Santa Claus at Christmas time. His 
enjoyment of life brought smiles and laughter to his family and friends, and he 
will be greatly missed.

Mr. Baker was a devout Catholic and longtime parishioner of both Holy Cross and 
Sacred Heart Catholic churches. Even though, in his later years, he lived in 
the church parish of Sacred Heart, he continued his work with the Holy Cross 
Parish Finance Committee until his death.

Visitation will be from 8 a.m. until 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 24 at Sacred Heart 
Catholic Church in Morgan City.

A funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m., with military honors being rendered at 
9:15 a.m., by the East St. Mary Veterans Funeral Squad at the church.
Burial will follow in the Morgan City Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons, Adam Mayon, Matt Mayon, Josh Mayon, Tommy 
Baker, Gregory Baker and Jeremiah Baker.

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