by Shirley Simmons, Volunteer Director
J. G. Baker’s daughter Tristan Moorer has donated to the archives of the Fuquay-Varina Museums quite a treasure trove of photos from the career of her dad, J. G. Baker, Jr. In accessioning the scrapbook he kept which he entitled “50 Years of Local Fuquay-Varina Sponsors, Coaches, and Players,” we are enthralled with the historical photos.
Jimmie Gray “J. G.” Baker, Jr. was the son of Jimmie Gray Baker, Sr and Eloise Evans Cade. He was married to Cynthia Coats Baker and is the father of Joshua Baker and Tristan Baker Moorer. J. G. left us physically on August 14, 2024 at age 65. BUT J. G. left us a rich trove of information and a devotion to coaching and young people rarely excelled by anyone. It it his life’s work in this that we wish to share from the museums collections.
Our choices are just a small sampling of his many photos and memories.
His first photo, 1973 sponsorship by the Food Center, the baseball team in their tee shirts. The Food Center was a business where Bostic and Wilson was lately on Main Street.
By 1976 the Little League Teams has earned a reputation and were the State Champions. Here we find those members pictured.
In 1989, The Bambino All Stars were featured in a special page picture with names. Additionally, recognition was given to the local Boosters by name.
In the 1990’s attention was given to the ladies, with the Fuquay-Varina Fast Pitch softball. Tristan Baker was part of this team which was acclaimed.
Dixie Softball State Championships came in 2017.
There were also the Lady Deacons and the Lady Woflpack for added excitement.
Next additions included church softballl and a new sport, beach volleyballl.
Another State program in Pitch, Hit and Run featured individuals like Jake Pereira as winner.
J. G. and Crew were not limited to these sports but included both fishing and golf in their programs. And not limited to humans, J. G. and company brought home wins in Dog contests. Against 262 dogs, J. G. “brought home 6 trophies with 8 dog and 20 plaques”
The idea of J. G. and his cohorts in Little League certainly taught a valuable lesson to all the youth they impacted. The Dixie Motto of softball expressed this goal best: “Participation not Perfection.” J. G. served as District Director for many years in this All Star program. J. G. was recognized in a 50 year fundraising program by the Optimist International and designated a “friend of youth.”
The Friends of the Museums are honored to recognize J. G. for his lifetime contribution to sports and youth in Fuquay-Varina. We would be remiss not to also acknowledge his various other contributions to the museums collection. He was a collector of bottle caps and Ballentine Dairy products, family artifacts, and various and sundry other artifacts which he shared with the Fuquay-Varina Museums.