Shelby H. Baker, 85, of Tifton passed away Sunday, April 30, 2023, at his residence. A private family graveside service will be held on Saturday, June 3, 2023, at Tift Memorial Gardens. The Rev. Chip Grantham will officiate. There will be a reception for family and friends on Saturday, June 3, 2023, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Social Hall of Tifton’s First United Methodist Church.
Mr. Baker was born in Lee County, Alabama on November 16, 1937, to the late J.A. and Lois Baker. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Alberta Collins Baker and two brothers, Laverne and Richard Baker. He attended Lee County Schools in Auburn, Alabama and graduated in 1956. He was the first graduate of Auburn University when it’s name was changed from Alabama Polytechnic Institute to Auburn University in 1960. He graduated from Auburn University with a B.S. and M.S. in Agronomy in 1960 and 1962.
He married his childhood sweetheart in 1960. They lived in Hartsville, South Carolina from 1962 to 1965 where he worked with Coker Pedigreed Seed Company as a cotton breeder. They moved to Tifton in 1965 where he was employed with Allred Chemical Company until 1967 when he went to work with the University of Georgia as a cotton breeder until he retired in 2000. He was a member of Tifton’s First United Methodist Church and the Beacon Sunday School Class. He served on various church committees included chairman of the Board of Trustees for five years.
Mr. Baker is survived by his two children and their spouses, Beth and Daniel Eichorst of Atlanta and Joe and Candi Baker of Rome; two grandchildren and their spouses, Josh and Rachel Baker and Juliann and Kadin Scoggins; and one great-granddaughter, Palmer Grey Scoggins.
Memorial gifts may be made to Tifton’s First United Methodist Church Altar Fund, 107 12th Street West, Tifton, GA 31794.