Cpt. Baker L. Peebles

Capt. Baker L. Peebles USN. (Ret) age 88 of Hermitage, Ark., died Saturday, July 7th, 2018 at his home. He was born March 25th, 1930 in Dumas, Ark., 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 5 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, Ark. He was Commander of recruiting in Little Rock, Ark., 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 2 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 w/2 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, Ark., and Smackover, Ark. He received the Pillar of Solomon Award, was a member of the Scottish Rite, the Lyons Club, the Rotary Club of Warren, Ark., and a member of the First United Methodist Church of Hermitage, Ark. He is survived by his wife, Edith Hodges Peebles, whom he married December 25th , 1952 in Smackover, Ark. 2 sons, Larry Peebles and spouse Becky Anthony, Wynne, Ark., and Jeff Peebles and spouse Annette, Hermitage, Ark. A daughter Mandy Miles, Norphlet, Ark., 6 grandchildren Missy Hodges, George Miles, Michael Peebles, Lena Peebles, David Peebles and James Peebles, Jr. 3 great-grandchildren. Funeral services 2:00PM Wednesday, July 11th at Frazer's Chapel. Burial in Holly Springs Cemetery with Military Honors by Frazer's Funeral Home. Visitation 6:00PM till 8:00PM Tuesday, July 10th at Frazer's. Online guestbook www.frazerfuneralhome.com.