Asst. Coach Baker was tough and pushed us hard in Football. During the couple of years I played varsity under him, I feared his disapproval when I underperformed, but loved it when he'd smile and slap us so hard on the back of our pads or helmets that it hurt, and yell "That's it! You got it! Go get 'em". He barked a lot, but taught us perseverance under pressure - how to turn fear of failure into action, and how to dig that extra 10 percent beyond 100 percent out to give to the game. Oh yeah, at times he was "ornery" but what I learned from him (and all the other coaches) served me well the rest of my life.
Imagine my surprise to find out at the 30th reunion that he later fell in love with and married our classmate Debbie Bradshaw. It was great seeing him there and he had kind words for me about my oh-so-brief time on the gridiron playing for Grissom that I really appreciated, albeit only learned thirty years down the road. Thanks Coach, you are missed!
Below is Coach Baker's Obituary:
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Leroy Baker, 57, of Huntsville, passed away Friday morning at Huntsville Hospital after a courageous battle with liver cancer. Known as coach, teacher, salesman, chef and friend, Leroy is survived by wife, Deborah Ann; son, Brandon with wife, Carrie, and granddaughter, Keelin; son, Jordan; brother, Doug Baker and wife, Jayna; sister, Judy Hynds and husband, Mike, and her sons, Todd, Timmy and Tracy Montgomery and countless friends. Leroy was awarded a scholarship from Butler High School to The University of North Alabama. He has worked as a pharmaceutical representative for over 30 years most recently with SJ Pharmaceutical where he was recently awarded the first ever Founders Award.
Visitation will be from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Saturday at Laughlin Service Funeral Home. The funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home chapel with Richard Jackson and Kevin Wade officiating. Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.
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Coach Baker was born 9 September 1950 and passed away on 29 August, 2008 at the age of 57.
I was a band member, not an athlete, so I did not know Coach Baker in that capacity. I think he may have taught me driver's ed. toward the end of 10th grade, but mostly I remember watching the gory Ohio State Police films of accident victims.
However, when I moved back to North Alabama in 1992 he called on my office as a pharmaceutical rep. I think he worked for Merck/Astra selling Prilosec. I remember very well several lunches he catered, bring BBQ and his home made oriental slaw made with uncooked Ramen noodles. Maybe you have had this. It sounds strange, but tastes wonderful. I was not aware until preusing the memorials that he had died.
He was a tireless and cheerful person. We will miss him.
J. D. Webster
Asst. Coach Baker was tough and pushed us hard in Football. During the couple of years I played varsity under him, I feared his disapproval when I underperformed, but loved it when he'd smile and slap us so hard on the back of our pads or helmets that it hurt, and yell "That's it! You got it! Go get 'em". He barked a lot, but taught us perseverance under pressure - how to turn fear of failure into action, and how to dig that extra 10 percent beyond 100 percent out to give to the game. Oh yeah, at times he was "ornery" but what I learned from him (and all the other coaches) served me well the rest of my life.
Imagine my surprise to find out at the 30th reunion that he later fell in love with and married our classmate Debbie Bradshaw. It was great seeing him there and he had kind words for me about my oh-so-brief time on the gridiron playing for Grissom that I really appreciated, albeit only learned thirty years down the road. Thanks Coach, you are missed!
Below is Coach Baker's Obituary:
----------
Leroy Baker, 57, of Huntsville, passed away Friday morning at Huntsville Hospital after a courageous battle with liver cancer. Known as coach, teacher, salesman, chef and friend, Leroy is survived by wife, Deborah Ann; son, Brandon with wife, Carrie, and granddaughter, Keelin; son, Jordan; brother, Doug Baker and wife, Jayna; sister, Judy Hynds and husband, Mike, and her sons, Todd, Timmy and Tracy Montgomery and countless friends. Leroy was awarded a scholarship from Butler High School to The University of North Alabama. He has worked as a pharmaceutical representative for over 30 years most recently with SJ Pharmaceutical where he was recently awarded the first ever Founders Award.
Visitation will be from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Saturday at Laughlin Service Funeral Home. The funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home chapel with Richard Jackson and Kevin Wade officiating. Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.
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Coach Baker was born 9 September 1950 and passed away on 29 August, 2008 at the age of 57.
Russell Barr
I was a band member, not an athlete, so I did not know Coach Baker in that capacity. I think he may have taught me driver's ed. toward the end of 10th grade, but mostly I remember watching the gory Ohio State Police films of accident victims.
However, when I moved back to North Alabama in 1992 he called on my office as a pharmaceutical rep. I think he worked for Merck/Astra selling Prilosec. I remember very well several lunches he catered, bring BBQ and his home made oriental slaw made with uncooked Ramen noodles. Maybe you have had this. It sounds strange, but tastes wonderful. I was not aware until preusing the memorials that he had died.
He was a tireless and cheerful person. We will miss him.
Russell Barr