Bolt Frank Baker, 84, of Columbus, MS passed away August 24, 2024 at North Mississippi Medical Center – Gilmore in Amory, MS.

The graveside service will be Thursday, August 29, 2024 at 4:00 PM at Mt. Vernon Cemetery, Columbus, MS.

Mr. Baker was born on September 13, 1939 in Kolola Springs to the late Bolt Franklin Baker, Sr. and Lillie Isom Baker and attended Caledonia School.  He later joined the United States Air Force, and was stationed in Alaska and Texas with SAC.  Upon discharge from the Air Force, he served in the National Guard.

In the 1960's, Mr. Baker owned and operated cotton picker tractors for lease and was a deputy sheriff in Lowndes County, MS.  Throughout the 1960's and 1970's, he owned an auto salvage company.  Mr. Baker was also a fleet mechanic from the late 1970's through the 2000's.  From the 1960's through the 2000's, he was a professional over the road long haul semi-truck driver, as well as a local semi-truck driver.  Mr. Baker owned and operated his own semi-truck business in the 2000's, and concluded operations when he retired.  He was one of the original members of the NW Lowndes County Volunteer Fire Department on Jess Lyons Road.  Mr. Baker was employed by the Lowndes County, MS Road Department to implement the county's central maintenance shop when the county began its own centralized mobile equipment shop.  He was also responsible for maintaining all road department equipment /fleet, sanitation trucks, sheriff's department fleet, and volunteer fire department equipment.  He retired from Lowndes County Central Maintenance as shop foreman.

Mr. Baker was an ordained deacon at Antioch Baptist Church on Jess Lyons Road in the 1970's.  He enjoyed attending gospel and bluegrass music festivals and concerts.  In the 1970's, he was a CB radio enthusiast and member of a local CB radio club.  He was an avid over the road motorcyclist from the 1970's through the late 1990's.  From the 1990's through the 2000's, he was a avid recreational vehicle traveler and camper.  He traveled throughout the region and country on both motorcycles and in RVs.  He especially enjoyed riding with family and friends, and promoted the RV lifestyle to his family.  Mr. Baker was a classic and hotrod car enthusiast, and loved attending classic car displays and museums.  He also enjoyed staying connected with friends and family through email and Facebook.  Mr. Baker also ran a virtual store on eBay.  He was a member of Woodland Baptist Church in Columbus and was associated with the Oddfellows and Masons.  He enjoyed spending time with his family and enjoyed every opportunity to spend time with his children and grandchildren.  He spent twenty years caring for his soulmate and wife, Hazel, through her many years of illnesses.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Baker is preceded in death by his wife – Hazel Baker; and brothers – Clyde Baker and Dewey Baker.  He is survived by his children – Danny (Debbie) Baker, Debra (Wade) Umfress, Frank (Tracey) Baker, Kathy (Charlie) Cribb, and Jim (Chrystal) Folse; grandchildren – Scott Daniel Baker, Trey (Katie) Umfress, Sam Baker, Victoria (Joey) Hickey, Joshua Crittenden, and Jennifer (Greg) Bowers; and great grandchildren – Elliott Jane, Emma, Bentley, and River.

Pallbearers are Wade Umfress, Charlie Cribb, Trey Umfress, Jim Folse, Sam Baker, and Frank Baker.  Honorary Pallbearers are Danny Baker, Scott Daniel Baker, Joshua Crittenden, and Greg Bowers.