Joe Porter Baker, Jr. Jr.

Joe Porter Baker, Jr. October 11, 1943 – July 12, 2025 Joe "JoJo" Baker, age 81, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at UAB Medical Center in Birmingham, Alabama. Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 17, 2025 from 12pm-2pm at Welch Funeral Home located at 201 W Lampkin, Starkville, MS 39759. The funeral will be at 2pm followed by a graveside service at Memorial Garden Park Cemetery. Cowbells are welcome at the graveside service. Joe was born in York, Alabama on October 11, 1943, to the late Joe Porter Baker, Sr. and Jodie Baker. The eldest of four siblings, he spent his childhood in Indiana, Florida, and Mississippi. He graduated from high school in Macon, Mississippi in 1961, where he was a standout athlete in both football and baseball. After high school, Joe attended the University of Mississippi for a year before transferring to Mississippi State University, where he earned his bachelor's degree in Animal Science in 1966. He went on to complete both a Master's and Doctorate at MSU-an institution he proudly supported for the rest of his life. Joe married the love of his life, Kay Daniel in 1966. He then joined the U.S. Army Reserves, serving 6 years in the reserves at Clarksdale, MS. He also began a 32.5-year career with the Mississippi State University Extension Service. He served in various roles, including Assistant County Agent in New Albany, Area Livestock Specialist in Pontotoc, and later as the State 4-H Livestock Specialist. In 1982, Joe and Kay moved to Starkville with their son, Joe Dan, when Joe accepted a new position with MSU. Some of Joe's greatest joys came from being a father and, later, a grandfather. He cherished coaching Joe Dan's baseball teams-All-Stars, Dizzy Dean, the 1994 State Championship, and the World Series in Georgia-and in more recent years, he took just as much pride in cheering on his grandsons, Porter and Kellen. Whether at a practice or a game, he never missed a chance to show up and support them. A devoted Mississippi State Bulldog, Joe was a lifelong season ticket holder for football, basketball, and baseball, and a fixture in the legendary Left Field Lounge since the 1970s. He was a proud member of the MSU Quarterback Club and had one of the best cowbell collections around. He saw his first MSU vs. Ole Miss football game in 1962 and missed only four Egg Bowls in the decades since. After retiring from Extension in 1998, Joe turned his passion for antiques into a second career as a dealer-buying, selling, and collecting everything from classic treasures to what he fondly called "junk." He also served his community for over 20 years as a poll worker in Oktibbeha County and was elected to five terms as Election Commissioner, retiring again in 2023. He was a faithful member of the Global Methodist Church. Joe's hobbies reflected his enthusiasm for life and sharing them with his friends and family. He built an impressive Coca-Cola memorabilia collection, and his Christmas decorations-especially his yard displays-became a local tradition beginning in the early 2000s. He loved the outdoors, spending countless hours hunting, fishing, water skiing, and walking in the woods. In recent years, his greatest joy was sharing those experiences with his grandsons. Joe lived a life defined by love-for his family, his work, his community, and his Bulldogs. He led by example, lived simply, and gave generously. He was a role model and a man who never missed a chance to show up for the people he loved. Joe is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Kay; his son, Joe Dan; daughter-in-law, Beth; and beloved grandsons, Porter and Kellen. He also leaves behind his brothers, Jackie Baker of Aliceville, AL, and Johnny Baker of Columbus, MS; his sister, Janice Gregg (Ron) of Hernando, MS; his cousin, Davis Baker (Kathy) of Columbus, MS; and nieces and nephews Jeff Gregg, Rusty Gregg, Troy Baker, Taft Baker, Jarrett Baker, and Jodie Baker Fortenberry. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Jodie Baker.