Three Forks of the Kentucky River Historical Association

Biograpy

Rutherford B. Baker

August 6, 1915 - December 3, 2002
by Donald S. Baker
Oldest Son

In the late 1930's and early 1940's, events took place in Europe that would threaten the democracies of the world, challenge our rights to freedom, and change the lives of millions of people forever. In Germany, a little known wallpaper hanger from Austria, with the ability to deceive and persuade the multitudes, came into political power. Using his fanatic youth movement as a platform, he gained popularity, acceptance and finally, military authority. Under his hypnotic spell the German people were persuaded to embark upon one of history's most tragic and bloody periods, World War II. This man, Adolph Hitler, and his black booted, goose stepping SS troops marched across Europe leaving death, destruction and chaos in their wake. As Hitler and his war machine grew stronger, one by one, small European countries fell and were swallowed up by the relentless on-slaught of this Nazi jaugernaught. Only England stood between Hitler and his goal of complete dominance of Europe and eventually, the World.

It was during this period that the United States answered England's call for help. This mad man must be stopped! America was being summoned to become the champion of freedom and human rights and She answered the call without hesitation! Brave young men and women, many of them kids, barely out of school, answered their nation's call to arms. They came from every part of this great country. They came from the tobacco fields of North Carolina, from the boroughs of the great cities, the cornfields of Iowa and Ohio, the wheat fields of Kansas and Oklahoma. They came from the coal mines of Eastern Kentucky and West Virginia, the lumber camps of the Great Northwest and the farms of Tennessee and Georgia, the cotton fields of the Mississippi Delta and the great cattle ranches of Texas. For many, it was probably the first time they had traveled past the boundaries of their own county or state. They were rushed to "boot camps", hurriedly trained, then loaded on great ships and transported to a foreign land where most could not read, speak or even understand the language. There, after months of fierce combat and eventually the Invasion of Normandy, they would fight, and many die, for the country and the freedom they loved so fiercely. What a great debt of gratitude every American owes those brave young men and women who gave so much.

One of those brave young men, was Rutherford B. Baker, or "R.B." as he was known to his friends. Born August 6^th, 1915 to James W. Baker and Addie H. Bowman Baker in Owsley County, Kentucky, he grew up in the rolling hills of Eastern Kentucky, the heart of the Appalachian area. There, under the watchful eye of his father Jim, "R.B." was taught the morals, values and lessons that would mold his character. There also, he would learn to love the mountains and the simple, hard working people. Values and morals that would prove to serve him so well in the future. Times were hard as the "Great Depression" took its toll on the country and living through this era, a young man was soon to learn the ways of surviving tough, almost unbearable conditions.

R.B. eventually met and married his first and only love, Geneva Taylor. Geneva was to experience the tragedy of a stillbirth daughter, Maurenice, before they were blessed with three sons, Donald S., Kenneth A., and Charles E. After moving his family to Dayton, Ohio, R.B. volunteered to serve his country in its time of need. After taking his training at Camp Fanin, Texas, he was shipped out to Europe where he would eventually take part in the great invasion of Normandy on D-Day. R.B. survived that terrible blood bath on Omaha Beach and continued with his unit, the 30^th Infantry Division, into Germany. There he would be mortally wounded in combat and sent back to a hospital in England to recuperate. After recuperating from his wounds in England, he was sent back home. R.B. was awarded the Purple Heart, two Bronze Stars for heroism, the French Cross of War with Oak Leaf Clusters, and numerous Battle Ribbons. He had served his country well.

On his return, R.B. returned to his job with the government as a security guard for the Signal Corp in Dayton. It wasn't long before he felt the call to become one of God's messengers and he decided to enter the ministry. So strongly did he feel this call, that he gave up his job and career in Dayton, Ohio and returned to the place of his first love, the hills of Eastern Kentucky. Working his way thru Lee's Jr College and Clear Creek Baptist Seminary, R.B. now devoted his life to preaching the Gospel, serving the area, and ministering to the needs of the people that he loved so much. Often going for weeks and sometimes months without any income except for donations of food and part time jobs as an electrician, he would continue to raise his family and to serve the people of Appalachia. Word of this "fiery" preacher and his message soon spread and folks would walk and ride for miles to hear God's word from "Preacher Baker" as he had become affectionately known. The churches would be filled and they would congregate in the yards and roads to listen to his Gospel message. What a sight! The car he drove, an old, black '41 Plymouth with the loudspeakers on top, would become a familiar sight at missions all over that three county area. Thousands of lives were touched and changed by his compelling sermons and simple teachings and he was loved and respected by his peers.

After many years there, R.B. would eventually leave the Appalachian area and would pastor churches in Ohio, Indiana and finally Virginia. He was revered and loved everywhere he preached until he retired from full time ministry in 1982. Even though he was "retired", he still found ways to serve and follow his calling. R.B. was devastated by the loss of his wife Geneva in 1996. Being in the early stages of Alzheimer's Disease, the loss of his wife and partner of over sixty-three years most certainly sped its progression. Finally, after his body had been ravaged, and his mind stolen away by this terrible disease, on December 3, 2002, God called him home to be with him. His son Charles and daughter-in-law Jennie, were with him in his final moments and it was reported that R.B. smiled ever so faintly as he took his final breaths of life. I cannot help but believe that in that moment, he saw God striding toward him, beckoning to him with out stretched arms and saying, "Welcome home my good and faithful servant, Welcome home! You have served your country and me well! Come sit at my table for all Eternity. Well done R.B., well done!"