Josiah Baker
Josiah "Jody" Carr Eggleston Baker, 85, died peacefully on Tuesday morning, February 10, 2015. Family and friends were by his side.
Jody was predeceased by his parents, Robert Howell Baker and Julia Plummer Eggleston Baker and his loving wife of 57 years, Elizabeth “Betty” Ruble Baker.
Jody was born in Nashville and soon moved to Chattanooga, he graduated from Baylor High School for Boys, a military high school at the time and ranked second in command of school’s student body senior year. He attended Vanderbilt University for both his engineering undergraduate degree and graduate law degree. He was associate editor of Vanderbilt Law Review and a Phi Delta Theta brother in the bond.
He attended the U.S. Naval Intelligence School and as an officer moved to Washington DC and served 4 years. While in the ONI, Office of Naval Intelligence, he rose to Lieutenant and Lieutenant Commander in the reserves.
He was admitted to the Tennessee Bar in 1955 and he was Deputy Clerk and Master of the Chancery of Davidson County, Tennessee.
He came back to Chattanooga in 1958 to raise his family. He became a partner at Goins, Gammons, Baker and Robinson PC. In 1984, he started Josiah Baker and Associates. Ultimately, the firm grew to become Baker, Kinsman, Hollis, Clelland & Hogue, P.C., a full service law firm. He was an active member and board member in many organizations including being past president of The Chattanooga Bar Association, 33 degree Mason of the Masonic Lodge of Chattanooga, Chattanooga Bicycle Club, The Tennessee Bar Association, Tennessee Defense Lawyers Association and Defense Research Institute.
Jody represented the Chattanooga / Hamilton County Air Pollution Board from 1970 when it was established to clean the air in Chattanooga to current year (2015). He served on the committee that drafted the local legislation creating the Board and the original enforcement legislation. He served as the organization's chairman of the board of directors of the Carter Street Corporation (developer of Chattanooga Convention Center).
He was an active member and teacher of his Sunday school class called Baker- Newman- Murdoch at First Centenary United Methodist Church.
He had a love for acrylic painting and took many classes at Chattanooga State.
He was an avid Sherlock Holmes Society Member and started a local club with over 80 members called Friends of The Solider Named Murray an Official Scion of the Baker Street Irregulars.
He is survived his three children, Wade Baker, Edward “Ned” Baker and Julia Baker Dooley. He has four grandchildren, McLain and Shelby Dooley and Elizabeth and Stephanie Baker.
A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at The First Centenary United Methodist Church on Friday, Feb. 13, with Dr. Doug Fairbanks, Dr. Linda McDaniel and Dr. Clark Taylor officiating. Visitation will be from 12-2 p.m., followed by a memorial service at 2 p.m. to be followed by a reception.
Visit www.heritagefh.com to share words of comfort to the family.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to First Centenary United Methodist Church Building Fund, Hospice of Chattanooga or Baylor School.
Arrangements are by Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 E. Brainerd Road.