Memorials
John B. "J.B." Johnson Jr., 94, passed away March 7, 2016. Born December 4, 1922 in Winston Salem, NC to parents, Lemma and J.B. Johnson, Sr. J.B. was preceded in death by his loving wife Sarah of 65 years. At the age of two the family moved to Asheville, NC and was educated in the school system, graduating from Lee Edwards High. A lover of baseball and a good player, he received a scholarship to oak ridge institute and was the team's outstanding pitcher. In September 1942 JB joined the Army Air Corps. His military duty included aviation mechanics school in Amarillo, Texas B24 training in San Diego, CA, Yale University for engineering school and completing the aviation cadet program and flying B25s. At war's end he attended Georgia Tech for a one semester refresher course and in 1946 he signed a baseball contract with the Newnan Browns, a newly formed team in the newly formed Georgia Alabama league. Here again he was the outstanding pitcher in the league winning 20 and losing 8. One outstanding feat was pitching a double header not allowing any runs, a baseball record for quite some time. Apparently the record caught the eyes of the Detroit Tigers since they purchased his contract. J.B.’s baseball career spanned 4 years playing in various leagues from Class A to Class D in what is called the minor leagues.
In 1946 he went to work for Fireman's Fund insurance company in Atlanta, GA. In 1949 he was transferred to Charlotte, NC and in 1964 transferred to Tampa as resident vice president and Florida manager. He retired in 1985 after 38 years with the company, the last 20 years in Tampa. He and his wife chose Clearwater as home. In Charlotte he assisted in organizing little league baseball.
He was president of the Del Oro Groves Homeowners Assoc. for three years; a life member of the Professional Baseball Players of America. During his 20 years he was very proud of his branch and several times won his company's highest award known as "Tip of the Hat". He always said he had wonderful employees. He retired in 1985 after 38 years of service.
Upon retiring in 1985 he volunteered to serve on a city board and was appointed to the planning & zoning board. He served six years and five of the years as chairman. After his two terms ended he was appointed to the Maas Brothers task force. In 1991 he decided to seek a seat on the commission and was defeated by Art Degan. After the defeat J.B. was appointed to the development code adjustment board and in 1995 decided to again seek a commission seat. This time he was successful serving two terms with five of the six years as vice mayor. Later he was appointed to serve for two commissioners who resigned. As a commissioner he always gave consideration to "will the decision benefit our city" and you may "disagree'' but you do not have to be disagreeable. J.B. served on many city boards with the last one being the community development board. Recently the city hall conference room was named for him.
He has served on the area agency on aging board of Pasco¬ Pinellas, emeritus of the Salvation Army board, Senior Citizens board, Prospect Towers board and a member of Star Lodge 78. He worked part time for Biltmore construction as business development representative. J.B. was a member of Dunedin Country Club for eight years and since 1995 a member of Clearwater Country Club.
J.B. has been a member of Trinity Presbyterian Church since 1966 and served on the elders and deacon boards as well as other important positions.
He is survived by one sister, Elizabeth and her husband Joe in Newnan, GA and one sister-in-law, Caroline Spradlin in Chatham, VA and many nieces and nephews and great, great nieces and nephews. www.mossfeasterclearwater.com
In 1946 he went to work for Fireman's Fund insurance company in Atlanta, GA. In 1949 he was transferred to Charlotte, NC and in 1964 transferred to Tampa as resident vice president and Florida manager. He retired in 1985 after 38 years with the company, the last 20 years in Tampa. He and his wife chose Clearwater as home. In Charlotte he assisted in organizing little league baseball.
He was president of the Del Oro Groves Homeowners Assoc. for three years; a life member of the Professional Baseball Players of America. During his 20 years he was very proud of his branch and several times won his company's highest award known as "Tip of the Hat". He always said he had wonderful employees. He retired in 1985 after 38 years of service.
Upon retiring in 1985 he volunteered to serve on a city board and was appointed to the planning & zoning board. He served six years and five of the years as chairman. After his two terms ended he was appointed to the Maas Brothers task force. In 1991 he decided to seek a seat on the commission and was defeated by Art Degan. After the defeat J.B. was appointed to the development code adjustment board and in 1995 decided to again seek a commission seat. This time he was successful serving two terms with five of the six years as vice mayor. Later he was appointed to serve for two commissioners who resigned. As a commissioner he always gave consideration to "will the decision benefit our city" and you may "disagree'' but you do not have to be disagreeable. J.B. served on many city boards with the last one being the community development board. Recently the city hall conference room was named for him.
He has served on the area agency on aging board of Pasco¬ Pinellas, emeritus of the Salvation Army board, Senior Citizens board, Prospect Towers board and a member of Star Lodge 78. He worked part time for Biltmore construction as business development representative. J.B. was a member of Dunedin Country Club for eight years and since 1995 a member of Clearwater Country Club.
J.B. has been a member of Trinity Presbyterian Church since 1966 and served on the elders and deacon boards as well as other important positions.
He is survived by one sister, Elizabeth and her husband Joe in Newnan, GA and one sister-in-law, Caroline Spradlin in Chatham, VA and many nieces and nephews and great, great nieces and nephews. www.mossfeasterclearwater.com
James Burnell BakerJames Burnell Baker (Jim) of Clearwater, FL passed away on November 6, 2021 in Dunedin, FL. after over 91 years of a full and happy life. He was born on March 6, 1930 in Reidsville, NC and graduated from Reidsville High School. He earned a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering degree from North Carolina State University (NC State) and a Master of Science degree from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). After college, he served his country as a Captain in the United States Air Force.
Jim worked for Honeywell Aerospace in St. Petersburg, FL for his entire civilian career until his retirement in 1993. He specialized in the development of leading-edge guidance and navigation systems for both civilian and military use. In 1967, he won the prestigious Tampa Bay Tony Jannus Award for his contributions in aviation.
Jim lived most of his adult life in Clearwater, FL. He was a dedicated Rotarian for over 49 years, past president of the Clearwater East Rotary Club, and Assistant Governor of Rotary District 6950. He took great pride in the service work and fellowship of Rotary and enjoyed visiting Rotary Clubs around the world during his travels. He attended the First United Methodist Church in Clearwater for over 50 years and loved his Sunday School breakfast group. In the 1960’s, he could be found keeping score at Safety Harbor little league games or replenishing supplies in the concession stand. In the 1970’s, he served as Committee Chairman of BSA Troop 413 and spent many nights watching Clearwater High School Basketball games. He liked to work with his hands - growing orchids or pineapples and building in his workshop. He was knowledgeable and skillful and taught that love of DIY to his children. In his later years, he loved going for drives, watching birds, boats, water and spending time with those he loved.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Marie Richardson Baker. He is the beloved father of three children and their spouses. Sara Anne Baker Hopkins (Sally) and her husband David L. Hopkins of Houston, TX; James Richardson Baker (Rick) and his wife Robin Parks Baker of Destin, FL; and William Reid Baker (Bill) and his wife Michele Hamilton Baker of Richardson, TX. He was a loving grandfather of two and their spouses, Hamilton Reid Baker and his wife Leah Maree Baker of Cupertino, CA and Chandler Baker Ewen and her husband Stuart David Ewen, of Kirkland, WA. He is also survived by his sister, Marion Mitchell Snow, of Reidsville, NC, special friend Shirley Smith of Dunedin, FL, and many nieces, nephews, other family, friends and his treasured caregivers.
Jim worked for Honeywell Aerospace in St. Petersburg, FL for his entire civilian career until his retirement in 1993. He specialized in the development of leading-edge guidance and navigation systems for both civilian and military use. In 1967, he won the prestigious Tampa Bay Tony Jannus Award for his contributions in aviation.
Jim lived most of his adult life in Clearwater, FL. He was a dedicated Rotarian for over 49 years, past president of the Clearwater East Rotary Club, and Assistant Governor of Rotary District 6950. He took great pride in the service work and fellowship of Rotary and enjoyed visiting Rotary Clubs around the world during his travels. He attended the First United Methodist Church in Clearwater for over 50 years and loved his Sunday School breakfast group. In the 1960’s, he could be found keeping score at Safety Harbor little league games or replenishing supplies in the concession stand. In the 1970’s, he served as Committee Chairman of BSA Troop 413 and spent many nights watching Clearwater High School Basketball games. He liked to work with his hands - growing orchids or pineapples and building in his workshop. He was knowledgeable and skillful and taught that love of DIY to his children. In his later years, he loved going for drives, watching birds, boats, water and spending time with those he loved.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Marie Richardson Baker. He is the beloved father of three children and their spouses. Sara Anne Baker Hopkins (Sally) and her husband David L. Hopkins of Houston, TX; James Richardson Baker (Rick) and his wife Robin Parks Baker of Destin, FL; and William Reid Baker (Bill) and his wife Michele Hamilton Baker of Richardson, TX. He was a loving grandfather of two and their spouses, Hamilton Reid Baker and his wife Leah Maree Baker of Cupertino, CA and Chandler Baker Ewen and her husband Stuart David Ewen, of Kirkland, WA. He is also survived by his sister, Marion Mitchell Snow, of Reidsville, NC, special friend Shirley Smith of Dunedin, FL, and many nieces, nephews, other family, friends and his treasured caregivers.
