John Snyder Baker

John Snyder Baker, 79, of Buchanan, went home to be with his Creator and Lord on Wednesday, December 21, 2016. John was preceded in death by his parents, G. L. and Honor S. Baker and by an infant son, Craig Robert Baker. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Dianne Howell Baker; two sons, John L. and wife, Tammy Baker of Evington and Michael D. and wife, Stephanie Baker of Heathsville; a daughter, Melissa Baker Nice and husband, Spencer of Stuarts Draft; He has nine grandchildren, Jonathan, Katherine, and Benjamin Baker, Kaylie Baker, Nash and JP Withers, and Aaron, Alandra, and Easton Nice. John was born in Bedford County, Pennsylvania. Many of his fondest memories were of his experiences on the farms and ball fields in Bedford. John graduated from Bedford High School, Bedford, PA in 1956. He served in the United State Army from January 1957 to January 1959. He earned a B.A. from Bridgewater College in 1962. While at Bridgewater he was Captain of the Football Team. John completed his formal education with a Masters of Education from Radford University. John taught and coached multiple sports with football being his career passion at Brunswick County, James River, Drewry Mason and Bath County High Schools. He served as an Assistant Principal and Athletic Director at James River High School where he was inducted into the James River Knights of Distinction and the James River Sports Hall of Fame. In retirement, he was an Assistant Football Coach at Bridgewater from 1994 to 2001, where he was a part of the Bridgewater team that competed in the 2001 Stagg Bowl, the NCAA Division III National Championship Game. John's professional career ended with a five year stint at Alleghany High School as an Assistant Football Coach working with his son, Jack. John was a licensed Minister in the Church of the Brethren serving the Mount Bethel and Selma congregations as a part-time Pastor. He also served on many committees, commissions, groups of the Virlina District of the Church of the Brethren. He served as Deacon of the Cloverdale Church of the Brethren for several years. John interests outside of work and church included building furniture and construction projects ranging from home additions to sidewalks and garages. He was a talented and creative man with a wide variety of interests. John will be deeply missed by those he coached and worked with and especially by his family who will miss his guidance and dependability as a father, husband, and man of faith. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, December 27, 2016 in the Cloverdale Church of the Brethren, 4708 Read Mountain Road with Pastor Patrick Starkey officiating. Interment will follow in Fairview Cemetery, Buchanan. The family will receive friends Monday, December 26, 2016 from 4 to 7 pm at Botetourt Funeral Home, 14920 Lee Highway, Buchanan, Va. 24066. (540-254-3000) Online condolences may be made at www.botetourtfuneralhome.com