Jesse Baker

Jesse Baker, 74, of Lake Charles, LA, died at 4:07 AM on Thursday, December 2, 2021, in a local hospital.

Mr. Baker was born February 16, 1947, in Rayville, LA, where he attended Rayville Elementary and then moved to Lake Charles and graduated from Washington High School.  He dedicated his life to law enforcement, working for over forty years for the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Lake Charles Marshal’s office.  He also worked thirty years for the Calcasieu Parish School Board, where he drove a school bus for LaGrange High School.  He wore many hats throughout the years, including Holiday Inn as a chef, Donald Price Trucking, Gulf Coast Aluminum, Walmart as Loss Prevention, Isle of Capri, Delta Downs Casino and Harrah’s Casino, along with several other private security jobs.

He also enjoyed fishing, traveling, and spending time with his grandchildren.  He had a unique, dry sense of humor, but had a heart of gold and was always helping others.  Mr. Baker volunteered with Greater St. Mary, delivering food throughout the community.   He instilled in his family a strong work ethic and many life lessons that will never be forgotten.

Mr. Baker is survived by his wife of fifty-two years, Linda Baker; daughter, Felicia Collins; sister, Virginia C. Riley; grandchildren, Alelia K. Jackson (Tony B. Thompson), Nickole R. Collins, and Simone M. Collins; great-grandson Tysan Malik Thompson; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his son-in-law, Nickolas Collins; mother, Arleaner Baker Brown; father, Henry Baker; sisters, Hattie Mae Tucker, Mary Elizabeth Ardoin and Leatha Ann Briscoe; brothers, Roosevelt Baker, John Henry Baker, Jr., Alfred Baker, Emmett Baker and Jacob Baker.

His funeral service will be 11:00 AM on Saturday, December 11, 2021, held at University Baptist Church, under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home and officiated by Dr. Samuel C. Tolbert, Jr.  Burial will follow in Combre Memorial Park.  Visitation will be at the church on Saturday from 9:00 AM until the start of the service.