Paul Baker Jr.

Paul E. Baker Jr., 86, of Pensacola, Fla., passed away May 26, 2013. He was born Sept. 13, 1926, in Newton, Kan., to Paul E. Baker Sr. and Vivien Heath Baker.

Paul graduated from Peabody High School in 1944 and was captain of his football team. He joined the Navy and was part of Navy ROTC at Tulane University, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He was a member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity and an honorary fraternity, Beta Gamma Sigma, just as his father was.

Paul married Edith “Edie” Tusson on Nov. 27, 1947. Paul and Edie had four children. He lived happily with Edie for 59 years, until her death.

Paul was called back into active duty during the Korean War and served as lieutenant in Japan from 1952 to 1954.

Paul worked at Texaco for 40 years and relocated his home and family several times from Louisiana, Oklahoma, and then to New York. He worked as the vice president of Texaco in the Middle East/Far East Division. His job required frequent travel to foreign countries where he negotiated oil contracts.

Paul and Edie retired in Gulf Breeze, Fla. He enjoyed playing golf, traveling, bridge, watching sports, cooking, and spending time with his family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Vivien Baker; his wife, Edie; his daughter, Elizabeth; his two brothers, Hoyt and Heath; and his sister, Carol Foote.

Paul is survived by his brother, Ross Baker; his three children, Paul E. Baker III, Stephanie Henderson, and Pam Anderson; four grandchildren; Jessica, Matthew, Michael, and Heather Anderson; his nieces and nephews; and many family and friends.

A memorial service was held at Prairie Lawn Cemetery in Peabody.