James Franklin 'Sergeant Frank' Baker

James Franklin ‘Sergeant Frank’ Baker, age 82, of Trade, Tennessee, passed away on Tuesday, June 19, 2018 at his residence.  He was born on November 13, 1935 to the late Clarence M. and Bessie Williams Baker.  In addition to his parents, Frank was preceded in death by two brothers, Leon Baker and Clarence ‘Buddy’ Baker.

Frank was a proud United States Veteran having honorably served in the Army.  During his military career he served during the Korean Conflict and Vietnam Wars and completed 8 weeks of leadership school at Fort Jackson, 4 weeks 7th Army Non-commission officer academy, Munich, Germany, 5 weeks drill sergeant school, Fort Jackson, 1 week instructor seminar, Fort Benning, GA, 3 weeks guerrilla warfare training, 10th Special Forces Badtoe, Germany, and 1 week jungle mountain training, Korea.  During his career he served as Training Sergeant A in the 21st Infantry Battalion 24th Infantry Division, and Training Sergeant B in the 21st Infantry Battalion 7th Division in Korea, Operation Sergeant in charge of training, Fort Ord, CA, assisted in opening training center in Fort Hood TX, Sergeant in charge of opening training center in Fort Campbell, KY, Operation Sergeant of the 101st Airborne In Vietnam and trained troops in Fort Hood, TX, Fort Jackson SC, Fort Benning, GA and Fort Campbell, KY.   

He was a member of First Christian Church.

Those left to cherish his memories include his wife, Kate Baker, step-daughters, Kathy Meyer, Sandra Patton and Lori Chappell, step-son, Randy Davis, grandson who Frank is raising like his own, Luke Davis, sister, Barbara Jean Arnold and husband I.O. Arnold, brother, Curtiss Lee Baker and wife Rosemary, eight step grandchildren, twelve step great grandchildren, special friends, John Wayne Jefferies, John Jullian and David Sexton and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held from 6-8:00 p.m. Friday, June 22, 2018 at the Mountain City Funeral Home Chapel.  Funeral service will follow at 8:00 p.m. with Pastor Dwayne Dickson officiating.  Graveside service and interment with Military Honors conducted by the Johnson County Honor Guard will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 23, 2018 at the Sunset Memorial Park.  Pallbearers will be Roger Gentry, Ken Lane, Marshal Moser, Quint Reece, Barry Reece and John Powell.  Honorary pallbearers are John Jullian, John Wayne Jefferies, David Sexton, Craig Jullian, Malcolm Howard and Lee Talley.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the First Christian Church Building Fund,

At other times the family will also receive friends at the home, 743 Modock Road, Trade, TN.

Condolences may be sent to the family through our website at www.mountaincityfh.com.

The family of James Franklin ‘Frank’ Baker has entrusted his services to Mountain City Funeral Home, 224 S. Church Street, Mountain City, TN 37683.