James B. Baylor's Obituary
Major General James B. Baylor, known to his friends and family as Jim, was born April 14, 1933 in Hinton, West Virginia and died on July 26, 2011 at the age of 78 after a courageous fight against brain cancer. Jim was raised by his mother, Mary Boude Baylor, and father, William Glenn Baylor, in Huntington, West Virginia.
Jim was a very active cub scout, boy scout and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. After graduating from Huntington High School in 1951, he enrolled at Marshall University where he received a bachelor's degree in business management. Jim's college activities and accomplishments included: Company Commander in the ROTC Brigade, President of Omicron Delta Kappa Fraternity; President of Alpha Phi Omega Fraternity; Vice President, Secretary and Pledge Master for Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity; President of Inter-Fraternity Council; and Commander of Pershing Rifles.
After Marshall, Jim joined Valvoline Motor Oil, a subsidiary of Ashland Oil, Inc. Jim worked his way up through various positions: Sales Representative, Manager for Motor Oil and Lubricant Sales, Manager in Supply and Distribution, and Vice President of Operations. Throughout his years at Valvoline, Jim Baylor served as a Board Member on the American Petroleum Institute; Liaison representative for the Independent Lubricant Manufacturers Association; Liaison representative for the National Lubrication Grease Institute; and a member of the National Petroleum Refiners Association. After 40 years, Jim retired from Valvoline in 1996 as a Senior Vice President.
As Jim developed his civilian career at Valvoline, he simultaneously built a military career starting in 1955 when he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Ordnance Branch of the ROTC program at Marshall University. Jim's progression through the military included: Executive Officer of the 321st Ordnance Battalion; Assistant Commandant of 2093rd Reserve Forces School; Commander of the 38th Ordnance Group; Commandant of the 2093rd Reserve Forces School and Deputy Commander of the 99th United States Army Reserve Command (ARCOM). After 38 years in uniform, Jim retired as a Major General and Commander of the 99th ARCOM in 1996.
Jim's many accomplishments included - President of Rotary Club; Eagle Scout Executive Board of Directors Member, Scoutmaster, Cubmaster, Chief Order of the Arrow for Boy Scouts of America; Executive Board of Directors Member for Y.M.C.A.; Chairman Senior Deacons Board, Chairman Junior Deacons Board, Chairman Finance Committee as a Church Officer at Centenary United Methodist, Executive Board of Directors for United Way; Executive Board of Directors for Marshall University Alumni Association; Executive Board Member for Chamber of Commerce; Board of Directors Member for KY Vo-Tech Central Campus; Executive Board of Directors for Puralube, Inc.; and Executive Board and Immediate Past President for Lexington Living Arts and Science Center.
Major General Baylor's military achievements included - Distinguished Service Medal; Meritorious Service Medal with two Oakleaf Clusters; Army Commendation Medal; Army Achievement Medal; Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Second Award; Army Service Ribbon, Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon; Southwest Asia Service Medal; 99th ARCOM Recruiting Badge; Commanding Generals Recruiting Recognition Award; Life Member of the Reserve Officers Association; and Senior Army Reserve Commanders Association.
Jim was a kind and giving person who was devoted to his family, church, community and country. Those who had the privilege of meeting him remember his ability to make you feel welcome and his love for his family and friends. Jim Baylor was predeceased by his loving wife of 52 years, Rebecca Marshall Baylor, who passed away on February 2, 2011. He is survived by his four children, Bryan Baylor and his wife Emily, daughter Amy Shannon and her husband Brian, daughter Sara Kaiser and her husband Jim, and son Chris Baylor. Jim Baylor's grandchildren are Parker Shannon, Cameron Shannon, Gavin Kaiser, Mason Kaiser, Landon Kaiser, and Emerson Baylor.
Visitation will be held at Centenary United Methodist Church located at 2800 Tates Creek Road, Lexington, Kentucky on Friday, July 29, 2011 from 5-8PM. The funeral service will be held at Centenary United Methodist Church on Saturday, July 30, 2011 at 11AM. A graveside service will be held 1PM on Sunday, July 31, 2011 at Woodmere Memorial Park. ARRANGEMENTS BY JARDINE FUNERAL HOME STRONGSVILLE, OH www.jardinefh.com. Local arrangements by Klingel-Carpenter Mortuary, Huntington, W.V. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cleveland Clinic Foundation with note to Rose Ella Burkhardt Brain Tumor and Neuro-Oncology Center, P.O. Box 931517, Cleveland, OH 44193-1655 or to Centenary United Methodist Church located at 2800 Tates Creek Road, Lexington, Kentucky 40502.
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