Page 25 - Sojourner Newsletter-Winter 2025_FINAL

Volume 102, Issue 1 25
2024 IN REMEMBERANCE OF PAST NATIONAL PRESIDENTS

marriage, Eugene S. Baker III and Phyllis A. Baker (Mottern); Endowed Member with the Austin Valley in 1994, became a
two grandsons, and one great-grandson. After his Navy career, 32° K.C.C.H. in 2005, and was coronated 33° I.G.H. in 2021.
Brother CWO4 Baker was a Registered Massage Therapist and He served the bodies as Almoner. National Sojourners: Brother
Healing Touch Practitioner (1996-2003) and an Adult Proba- CWO4 Baker joined Anson Jones Chapter #507 in October
tion Officer for Williamson County Texas (2003-15). In 2019, 2002 and became a Hero in January 2003. He was Chapter
he published the book, Eternal Optimist: How to Make Things President in 2008-09, Chapter Secretary in 2012- 18, and Com-
Happen, an Amazon Best Seller. In addition, he created an mander of MAJ Samuel H. Parsons Camp in 2009-10. He
audio book and continues to spread optimism as a keynote attended his first National Convention in 2008, served as
speaker. He was a member of Sons of the American Revolution Regional Representative in South-Central South Area in
in Georgetown, Texas beginning in 2022. Uniformed Service: 2009-11, and served as Deputy Area Representative in 2011-
James A. Baker initially served as a Seaman (SN) on a 12. He hosted the 94th and 97th National Conventions and the
sea-going tugboat at Mayport Naval Base, Florida (1962-64). 91st Mid-Winter Meeting, all in Austin. For the 97th National
He was a student for basic and advanced training at Corry Sta- Convention, he was National President, Host Chapter
tion, Florida (1964-66), advancing to PO3. He became a Watch Secretary, NASOCOCO Treasurer, and Editor of the Annual
Supervisor at Naval Base Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (1966-68), Souvenir Book. As his Chapter’s Essay Contest Chairman in
advancing to PO2. From August to October 1968, PO2 Baker 2012-Present, he coordinated Essay evaluations, forwarded
was a student at the Advanced Non-Morse Signals Analysis Chapter winners to the National HQ, and had two Chapter
School at Fort Devens, Massachusetts. After training, PO1 winners who received 1st Place in 2012 and 3rd Place in 2018
Baker was assigned to Naval Communications Station, Guam for National Scholarships. He helped write the final line in our
as a senior analyst (1968-70). PO1 Baker was Watch Closing Prayer, “and Oh, Lord, please guide and protect our
Supervisor for USN and USAF specialized signals analysis at uniformed forces wherever dispersed.” Brother CWO4 Baker
Naval Security Group Detachment San Antonio, Texas (1970) became a National Officer on the Committee of 33 in 2010 and
and at Bremerhaven, West Germany (1970-72). PO1 Baker was was selected to serve as National Sentinel, Heroes of ’76. The
assigned at the National Security Agency at Fort Meade, following year, he was promoted to Jr. Lt. and selected to the
Maryland as a Signals Analyst (1972-74). He attended Northern Royal Order of Barrow Wheelers. At the 92nd National
Virginia Community College, earning an Associate Degree in Convention in 2012, CWO4 Baker was elected as N3VP,
the Associate Degree Completion Program, graduating Summa requiring him to resign his position in the Heroes of ’76
Cum Laude and being selected to Who’s Who in American progressive line, the Committee of 33, and Area
Junior Colleges (1974-76). Upon graduation, PO1 Baker was Representative. Following his election, he established the First
assigned to Adak, Alaska as Division Chief in the Naval Timers Committee, which continues to provide information to
Security Group (1976-77) and later to Edzell, Scotland in the those attending their first annual meeting. As National
Naval Security Group (1977-80), where he was promoted to President he re-wrote many of National Sojourners’
CPO (1980). He was assigned to Headquarters Naval Security documents, as Active Membership was opened to All Ranks.
Group Command in Washington, D.C., as a Signals Analyst During his term as National President, Brother James A. Baker
and Vulnerability Assessment Officer (1980-86), where he re-activated two Chapters: Fort Stewart #396 and Garden State
produced the Navy Communications Security film, “A Piece of #438. In 2017, he was elected as a National Trustee and was
the Puzzle.” He was Commissioned to the Rank of CWO2 subsequently selected to serve as the Chairman of
(1983) and CWO3 (1986). After attending night classes for NASOCOCO as well as the Investment Committee. In 2021,
several years, he attended the American University, he was elected to his 2nd term as National Trustee and to the
Washington, D.C., earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Honor Awards Committee. Brother James A. Baker, 33° laid
Administration (1987), graduating Magna Cum Laude and down his working tools on 25 February 2024. He is survived
being selected to Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. CWO3 Baker by Lady and Grande Dame Kay Baker, who lives in the
then served as Branch Head for sailors and civilians conducting country near Liberty Hill, Texas.
highly specialized signals analysis at the Naval Intelligence
Support Activity in Suitland, Maryland (1987-88). CWO3
Baker was selected as Operations Officer of the Naval Security
Group Detachment, Sinop, Turkey (1988) supervising 75 Navy
Signals Analysts. CWO3 Baker returned to Headquarters Naval
Security Group Command as a Vulnerability Assessment
Officer (1989-93), where he was immediately promoted to
CWO4 and where he assessed the vulnerability of various Navy
systems, including the SPY-1 Radar and Tomahawk Missile
and the Phalanx Close-In Weapons Systems. During this tour
he received his MBA before retiring on 1 February 1993.
Masonic History: Brother James A. Baker was raised a Master
Mason in North Esk Marinus Lodge #1676 in Laurencekirk,
Scotland in 1978, where he was a Life Member. In the York
Rite, he became a 32° Knights Templar in Scotland in 1980. He
affiliated as an Endowed Member with Liberty Hill Lodge #432
in Texas in 1994, was Master in 2001-02, and served as DDGM
in 2005. In the Scottish Rite, he became a Master of the Royal
Secret in Alexandria Valley in Virginia in 1992, affiliated as an