Earl (E.J.) Baker, "Through The Years"
Earl was born March 15, 1927 on a northeast Arkansas farm along U.S. Highway "61" - two miles north of Luxora, ten miles south of Blytheville, and raised through the Depression, dust bowl days, flood of Thirty-Seven and the rationing years of World War II. He was born the fifth child of seven, four older sisters and two younger brothers and raised by a remarkable father (an excellent farmer,) a wonderful mother (Lilly Anderson Baker,) and a helpful grandparent, Grandpa Charles David Anderson. Remarkable they were to buy 560 acres of land (the Home Place) and pay for it through those years. Thankful for them and thankful to God for them he'll always be. Earl left Luxora High School in 1945 because he received a draft notice from Uncle Sam. From the eighth grade to the last month of his Senior year he was President of Class, was Caption of the football, basketball and softball teams, playing quarter back, was recruited by Ole Miss, Tennessee and Georgia Tech. He was considered a major league baseball prospect and to play professionally was his dream. But in 1945 he was drafted and sent to Camp Fannin, Texas for seventeen weeks of Infantry Basic Training. In 1946 he served in occupation of Germany with 78th Inf. and 29th Inf. Station at Bremen, Nordholz and Bremerhaven and in 1947, discharged at Fort Bragg, N.C. Though homesick as he could be, he re-signed into the Inactive Reserves.

Then he came home to help on the farm and to pursue his dream of playing professional baseball. While playing with a semi-pro team he severely sprained his right ankle. The Doctor said would take two years to heal and it did. So in 1948 Earl bought a tractor and some farm equipment, and rented 160 acres with money he had saved in high school raising hogs and money he saved in the Army. December 3, 1948 he married Millie Jean Cole and in 1949 a beautifUl girl Candace Genette Baker, their first child, was born. It was a good farm year and the ankle was healing. He stole over 55 bases 40 games without being thrown out. In 1950 he was playing fantastic, hitting over .400, stole 67 bases in 52 games, and was not thrown out in two years. He made All District three years in a row and was most Outstanding Player in Tournament, selected over Wally Moon who was National League rookie of the year two years later. Earl had scouts interested again but again his dream was put on hold, when in December 1950 he received notice to report to Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

In 1951 he was assigned to 780th Field artillery and sent to Korea. In 1951, Shelley Lynette Baker, second beautiful daughter was born. (Both Candace and her were picked Little Miss Blytheville). Returning home discharged at age 25 he no longer pursued his dream of pro ball and made farming his priority but still played semi-pro ball until thirty seven. In 1957 the family was selected Crittenden County Farm Family of the Year (had moved there in 1955). Then in 1960 Earl J (Jay) Baker III was born. Twelve years later Earl's son gave him his biggest sports thrill- pitching several no hitter's (one a no walk no hit) and fourteen strike-out wins against Greenwood and a three hit 4-3 win against a 25-0 VanBuren host team and reigning State Champions to win the State Tournament (for twelve and under Boys Club State Tournament.) In 1979 he and wife divorced. 1984 was a tragic year, experiencing a life time tragedy when his grandson was killed by a motorcycle while riding on his bicycle. In 1985 he retired from farming and started writing Country Songs. Then in 1986 he won Songwriter of the Year - Memphis Songwriters. In 1996 he met Miss Right - Janet Bonney, and July 9, 2001 he married her and he took her to love "Through the Years".