Capt. Baker L. Peebles USN. (Ret), age 88, of Hermitage died Saturday, July 7, 2018 at his home. He was born March 25th, 1930 in Dumas, a son of the late Lawrence Peebles and Maurice Baker Peebles.
He was a graduate of the Portland Public Schools System, attended the University of the Ozarks College where he was the first graduating Pharmacy class of 1952, and he retired from Pharmacy at Gannaway Drug Store in 2016. Baker spent his career as a Commander in the United States Navy with 26 years of service. In the Navy he served in Vietnam, he was one of few men to ever have five different commands in his career serving under Admiral Tidd and Admiral Zumwalt. Baker commanded Naval bases in the Barbados British West Indies, San Salvador, Bamahas, the Naval Reserve Station in Camden. He was Commander of recruiting in Little Rock, AR from 1972 till 1974, where he had the highest recruiting class in the nation, and his last Duty Command was in Argentia, Newfoundland Canada. Baker served two years in the Pentagon, Washington DC, working with the Joints Chief of Staff. Baker graduated the Navy Command and Staff Center in Newport, Rhode Island, he graduated the National War College, Class of 1974 in Washington, DC. In his career he received numerous awards for his service, Navy Commendation Medal w/1 Gold Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with two Gold Stars, Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Citation (Gallantry Cross) Medal, Vietnam Service Medal w/1 Bronze Star, National Defense Service Medal, Color with Palm, Meritorious Unit Commendation w/1 Bronze Star. Baker was a 33rd -degree Master Mason, serving in Lodge 264 of Hermitage, and Smackover. He received the Pillar of Solomon Award, was a member of the Scottish Rite, the Lyons Club, the Rotary Club of Warren, AR and a member of the First United Methodist Church of Hermitage.
He is survived by his wife, Edith Hodges Peebles, whom he married December 25, 1952 in Smackover. Two sons, Larry Peebles and spouse Becky Anthony, Wynne, and Jeff Peebles and spouse Annette, Hermitage. A daughter Mandy Miles, Norphlet. Six grandchildren Missy Hodges, George Miles, Michael Peebles, Lena Peebles, David Peebles and James Peebles, Jr. Three great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, July 11, 2018 at Frazer’s Chapel. Burial will be in Holly Springs Cemetery with Military Honors by Frazer’s Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 6 until 8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 10 at Frazer’s. Online guestbook www.frazerfuneralhome.com.