Joseph Hutchison Baker, DuPont reitree
Joseph Hutchison Baker, 92, of The Moorings at Lewes, passed away peacefully Tuesday, March 21, 2023. He was born and raised in Clarksville, Tenn., son of the late John and Callie Baker.
Joseph graduated from Clarksville High School, receiving an athletic letter in football and a membership in the National Athletic Scholarship Society. He graduated from the University of Tennessee with a degree in industrial engineering in 1954 and was a member of the Tau Beta Pi honorary fraternity. As a registered professional engineer, he worked for the DuPont Corporation for 30 years, retiring in 1991. Joseph worked at many different DuPont plant sites before retiring from the Seaford DuPont fibers production facility. He was thought of by many as a mechanical wizard, able to fabricate or repair about anything. Joseph enjoyed sports cars and woodworking projects. He loved the design of a project as much as the building of it. His family and friends will benefit from the products of his woodshop for many years to come. Joseph cherished the time he spent with his children and grandchildren, as well as congenial games of dominos with friends. He and his wife, Eva F. "Fran" Baker, were longtime members of Bethel United Methodist Church in Lewes, where Joseph held several church leadership positions. He believed in service to others. He and Fran delivered meals to those in need via the Lewes Meals on Wheels program for 25 years. He and Fran were the first residents to move into what, at the time was Cadbury at Lewes Retirement Community, and is now The Moorings at Lewes. Joseph was even involved in the planning of the community. They made many wonderful friends there and loved their apartment and the amenities available.
Joseph is survived by his wife, Eva F. "Fran" Baker, also of The Moorings, Lewes. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Irma Dowlen Baker, with whom survive four children and nine grandchildren. Their children are Betsy Jenkins and Brenda McCombie (Paul) of Wilmington, N.C., Joseph H. Baker Jr. (Stacy) of Richmond, Va., and Claire King (Mark) of Angier, N.C. Joseph was also preceded in death by his three siblings, John B. Baker, James Baker and Martha Jane Brackett. Joseph was the fourth child of John Ballon Baker (Clarksville, Tenn.) and Callie Hutchison Baker (Sango, Tenn.). Joseph also shared in the lives of Fran’s two children, James Baker and Vicki Spence; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, April 8, at The Moorings at Lewes, 17028 Cadbury Circle, Lewes.
Final care has been entrusted to Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.
Visit Mr. Baker's Life Memorial webpage and sign his virtual guestbook at parsellfuneralhomes.com.
