Bill Text: VA HR344 | 2017 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Celebrating the life of John Snyder Baker.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2017-02-03 - Bill text as passed House (HR344ER) [HR344 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2017-HR344-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, John Snyder Baker of Buchanan, a revered longtime football coach in Botetourt County and a minister in the Church of the Brethren, died on December 21, 2016; and
WHEREAS, a native of Bedford County, Pennsylvania, John Baker was a son of the late G. L. and Honor Baker, and he served in the United States Army from 1957 to 1959; and
WHEREAS, John Baker received a bachelor's degree from Bridgewater College, where he was captain of the football team, and earned a master's degree in education from Radford University; and
WHEREAS, during his distinguished career teaching and coaching multiple sports, John Baker held positions at Brunswick County High School, Drewry Mason High School, Bath County High School, and James River High School; and
WHEREAS, John Baker's passion was football and his longest tenure was at James River High School in Buchanan, where he served as head football coach, assistant principal, and athletic director; he was inducted into the James River Knights of Distinction and the James River Sports Hall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, after retiring from teaching and coaching high school sports, John Baker spent seven years as an assistant football coach at his alma mater, Bridgewater College, where he was part of the team that competed in the 2001 Stagg Bowl, the NCAA Division III national championship game; and
WHEREAS, John Baker concluded his football coaching career at Alleghany High School, where for five years he was an assistant football coach working under his son, Jack; and
WHEREAS, John Baker was a licensed minister in the Church of the Brethren, serving the Mount Bethel and Selma congregations as a part-time pastor, and for many years he was a deacon of the Cloverdale Church of the Brethren; and
WHEREAS, outside of coaching football and church, John Baker loved building furniture and completing construction projects that ranged from home additions to sidewalks and garages; and
WHEREAS, John Baker was a man of great faith, many talents, and a wide variety of interests; he was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, and a reliable source of guidance for his family and for the many players who had the fortune of calling him "Coach" over his long career; and
WHEREAS, predeceased by an infant son, Craig, John Baker will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife of 47 years, Dianne; children, Jack, Michael, and Melissa, and their families; and a host of other relatives, friends, and former players; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates hereby note with great sadness the loss of John Snyder Baker, a revered longtime football coach in Botetourt County and a minister in the Church of the Brethren; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of John Snyder Baker as an expression of the House of Delegates' respect for his memory.
