Kermit N. Baker

Kermit N. Baker, age 94 of Malvern, died Saturday, June 29, 2014 in the Baptist Medical Center in Little Rock. He was born in Leola, Ark. on June 13, 1920 to the late Albert Nathan Baker and Bertie Ross Baker. Reared and educated in Leola, he had been a resident of Malvern since 1954. On Nov. 29, 1940, he married Marie J. Hix, the mother of his children. She preceded him in death in 1994. Kermit was a part of the "Greatest Generation", being a United States Army Veteran of both World War II and Korea. He served in the 1st Cavalry Division, 12th Cavalry Regiment, and 2nd Spec. Engineer Brigade. He received the Combat Infantry Badge and Combat Medical Badge. Kermit was wounded in the Philippines and was awarded the Purple Heart. He was honorably discharged as Staff Sergeant. He went to work for the United States Post Office in the late 1950's and retired after more than 20 years. He then started his own lawn service, working into his late 80's. For many years, Kermit coached little league baseball at the Boys Club, and also Junior and Senior Babe Ruth teams. He was a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church where he taught Sunday School and assisted with cooking and delivering the church's famous smoked Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter hams and turkeys. He is survived by his wife, Burta Nutt-Baker, to whom he was married on Sept. 14, 2002; by his children, Betty Sue O'Neal and Butch Baker (Susan), all of Malvern; his step-children, Tommy Nutt (Dottie) of Pueblo, Colo., and Patricia Rook of Mena; his sister, Clydia Fee of Malvern; his grandchildren, Nathan Baker, Brett Baker, and Craig O'Neal; and great-grandchild, Gabriel Baker. Kermit was also preceded in death by five siblings. The family will receive friends at J.A. Funk Funeral Home on Monday evening from six until eight o'clock. His funeral will be at eleven o'clock on Tuesday morning, July 1, 2014 in the sanctuary of St. Paul United Methodist Church with Reverend Dooley Fowler officiating. Interment will follow in Lono Cemetery with full military honors. Honorary pallbearers will be B. Green, Danny Riggan, Frank McClure, Judge Chris Williams, Judge Eddie Easley, Judge Sherry Burnett, Judge Stephen Shirron, Richard Garrett, Louis Loyd, David Alpe and Dr. Bruce Burton. Memorials may take the form of contributions to the building fund at St. Paul United Methodist Church. Online condolences may be sent via jafunkfuneralhome.com.