Live Stream of the Funeral Service

Joe Curtis Baker was the ninth child of nine children born to the late Rev. James A. and the late Anna Hubbard Baker of Granger, Texas, on December 12, 1935.

He attended public school at Ash Creek High School in Pelham, Texas, located at the northwest end of Navarro County, Texas.  Joe had a love for athletics and participated in basketball, baseball, track, and field events. He was well known for running the 100-yard dash, 220-yard dash and the 440-yard relay.  He received numerous awards, medals and trophies.  His coaches were the late Mrs. Darlene Porter-Holloway and the late Mr. Emmanuel Mack of Pelham, Texas.

Being a son of a Christian household, Joe received Christ into his life at an early age, and was taught family values and strong ties as he grew up.  He was a member of Union Baptist Church in Pelham, Texas, and spent countless hours watching and listening to the word of God through T.V. ministry.

After graduating from high school, Joe attended Huston-Tillotson University in Austin, Texas, from 1955-1958, where he received his B.S. degree with a major in Physical Education and a minor in Biology and English. He later received his M.L.A. degree from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas and Mid-Management Certification from Prairie View A & M University, Prairie View, Texas. While at Huston-Tillotson, Joe continued his love for athletics by competing in track and field events.  He was captain of the track team and continued to excel in competition by winning awards, medals, trophies, setting relay records, and receiving recognition in "The American Statesman," the local newspaper. He was a member of the Huston-Tillotson International Team which was composed of Panama Canal Zone and USA members from the North and the South. He was proud to be pictured with the Athletic Director/Coach of the team, Mr. E. C. Collins. Most of these relays were held in Prairie View and Austin.

After graduating from college, Joe was employed as a self-contained 7 ^th and 8 ^th grade middle school teacher for two years in his hometown of Pelham, Texas. He later moved to Dallas, and was employed with the Dallas Independent School District for 30 years; retiring in 1992 after  teaching, coaching, and supervising at the following schools:  Roosevelt High School as teacher and golf coach; Youth Action Center as assistant to security; principal at Metropolitan Alternative High School and E. D. Walker Special Education Center; assistant principal at  L. G. Pinkston High School,  Skyline High School, James Madison High School,  W. W. Samuel High School, Hillcrest High School, and Sarah Zumwalt Middle School.

On July 18, 2009, Joe was inducted into the Track and Field Hall of Fame for athletic accomplishment as an athlete in PVIL (Prairie View Interscholastic League) in Austin, Texas. In 2010, Joe was recognized as a PVIL lifetime member.

He served on the Board of Directors of the Pelham Community Historical

Museum, listed by the Texas Historical Commission as "Texas Lakes Trails Heritage Tour Site." He became a member of Theta Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated while attending Huston-Tillotson University. His pastime activities included boating, driving and working on antique cars, fishing, hunting, motorcycle riding, caring for his pets (dogs and cats) and having breakfast with other "Retired Old Men Eating Out", or as we know them, the ROMEO s.

Joe was preceded in death by his father, Rev. James A. Baker; mother, Anna Belle Hubbard Baker; brothers:  Baron Baker, Eddie Lee Baker, William McClennan Baker, James Arthur Baker, and Elvis Baker;  sisters: Exzena Grace Thomas, Dorothy Baker Young, Delilah Baker Hayes; nieces: Claudette Ross and Bettie Withers.

Joe leaves behind his devoted wife, Alene Baker of 36 years;  a son,  Keith (Diana) Ingram of Aarbergen, Germany; grandson, Dante Jamal Neumann of Hildesheim, Germany;  granddaughter,  Janice Teschner of Aarbergen, Germany; sisters-in-law:  Anna Belle Baker of Houston, Texas, Martha Ingram of Fort Worth, Texas,  Annie (Henry) Nelson of Dallas, Texas; brothers-in-law: Byron Young of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Rev. E. D. (Carolyn) Ingram of McKinney, Texas, William (Shirley) Ingram of Fort  Worth, Texas, Cleophas (Hazel) Ingram of Duncanville, Texas, Wayne (Dr. Nell) Ingram of Desoto, Texas; nieces: Beverly (Wayne) Mahto of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Jennifer and Janet Baker of Houston, Texas, JoAnn Tate and Gloria Baker of Fort Worth, Texas; nephews: Gerard (Debra) Baker, Jeffery (KK) Baker and Shelley Ross  of Houston, Texas, James (Amy) Thomas and Michael Thomas of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Samuel Baker and Eddie Baker, Jr. of Fort Worth, Texas;  great nieces and  nephews, great-great nieces and nephews, other relatives, colleagues and friends.