LeRoy Baker Obituary

LeRoy Hoyt Baker, Jr. Rock Hill, SC - LeRoy "Roy" Hoyt Baker Jr., 91, of Rock Hill, S.C., formerly a longtime resident of Charleston, SC, died September. 7, 2016, at HarborChase of Rock Hill. He was born on November 2, 1924, in Bardwell (Tunkhannock Township, Wyoming County), PA, a son of the late LeRoy H. Baker Sr. and Margie Elizabeth (Felker) Baker. His guestbook may be signed online at CharlestonFunerals.com. Roy attended his first eight grades in Bardwell's one-room schoolhouse and was a 1941 graduate of Tunkhannock High School, where he played baseball and football. In 1943, he graduated from Scranton Keystone Junior College, where he was class president and also played football. In November 1942, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps in a delayed-entry program and attended Muhlenberg College as part of his Marine Corps service. He was honorably discharged from the Marines in 1944. The day after his discharge, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Roy attended Midshipmen's School at Northwestern University in Illinois and was commissioned an ensign. He served during World War II and was recalled to active duty during the Korean Conflict, retiring as a Navy Lieutenant Commander from the reserves in 1962. During his active naval duty, he served aboard the USS Southland, the USS Porter (DD800) and the USS Greenwood (DE679). In his service career, he received 11 military awards, including two with combat stars. Roy graduated from The Citadel in 1948 with a Bachelor's degree in business administration. For more than 60 years, he resided in the Charleston, SC, area. Following his graduation from The Citadel, he worked for the Bay Fruit Co. before being hired at Westvaco Corp. in 1955. He worked for Westvaco for more than 30 years, retiring from the company in 1987 as accounting manager for its Kraft Division. Roy was an active member of St. Mark United Methodist Church in Charleston, serving in many capacities on its board and with the United Methodist Men and the Good Neighbors Club. He was a former adult Sunday School teacher and helped spearhead several project drives. He was an emeritus life member of the Institute of Management Accountants, the Charleston Paper Mill Retirees Association, the Citadel Alumni Association, the Keystone College Alumni Association, the RAHC Hunting Club on Yonges Island, the Military Retired Officers Association and the USS Porter Reunion Association. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 59 years, Mildred Carr Baker, who passed away on January 17, 2009. He also was predeceased by his parents and by his brothers, Donald, Duane and Harold. He is survived by a son, LeRoy H. "Skip" Baker III (Debbie) of Temecula, CA; a daughter, Lynn B. Harris (David) of Rock Hill, SC.; three grandchildren: U.S. Navy CDR Spencer Baker (Jennifer) of Lithia, FL, Donna Harris (Nicole) of Cullowhee, NC, and the Rev. Jonathan Harris (Marissa) of Myrtle Beach, SC; seven great-grandchildren: Reilly, Easton, Camellia, Duncan and Reece Baker, all of Lithia, FL, and Isaac and Micah Harris, both of Myrtle Beach, SC; and many nephews, nieces and cousins. A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 PM Saturday, October 1, 2016 at St. Mark United Methodist Church in Charleston, SC. The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the service. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Mark United Methodist Church, 413 Geddes Ave., Charleston, SC 29407 or to East Lemon United Methodist Church, 1174 Avery Station Road, Factoryville, PA 18419. Arrangements by James A. McAlister, Inc. 766-1365. Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston