Baker, Jack Cowan

Jack Cowan Baker, 85, died Sunday October 31, at his home after an extended illness. A memorial service will be 11 a.m. Thursday at the First United Methodist Church officiated by the Rev. Ralph Brown and the Rev. Dr. Thomas Dendy. He is survived by his wife, Margaret Mitchell Baker; a daughter, Ruth Baker Lytch and husband, Keith of Laurinburg; two grandchildren, Margaret “Meggie Shore Lytch and Bryce Cowan Lytch of Laurinburg. Born January 9, 1925 in Laurinburg, he was a son of the late Emmet Eston and Ruth Cowan Baker. A gifted athlete, Jack was on the 1941 state championship football team at Laurinburg High School and a pitcher for the baseball team. He attended Wake Forest on an athletic scholarship, but his career was cut short in the tragic automobile accident that also killed Cotton Sutherland. Jack returned to Laurinburg where, along with his brother, Emmet and father, operated Baker Heating and Plumbing. Failing health led to his early retirement. Memorials are requested for Hospice, PO Box 1033, Laurinburg, NC 28353 or the Humane Society, 1401 West Blvd., Laurinburg, NC 28352. Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at the McDougald Funeral Home and Crematorium.