John Foster Baggett

JOHN FOSTER BAGGETT, JR.

John Foster Baggett, Jr., 93, died Monday, May 7, at Owensboro Medical Health System. He was born in Greenbrier, Tennessee, to the late Reverend Dr. John Foster Baggett and Eva Harper Baggett. He was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Margaret Scott Baggett, his sister, Flora Baggett Cox, and his brothers, Harold, Walter, and Edwin Baggett.

He served in the United States Navy as a hospital corpsman during World War II and the Korean Conflict. His life career was in the building supply industry beginning with Old Hickory Lumber Company and Berry Hill Lumber Company of Nashville, TN, and later with Diamond Hill Plywood Company in Nashville, Darlington, SC, and Raleigh, NC. He retired as manager and company vice president of Diamond Hill Plywood Company in Raleigh. Following his retirement he and his wife moved to the home they built in the mountains of North Carolina and for several years lived at Wolf Laurel.

He was a longtime member of Kiwanis International and served in many capacities including President of the Darlington, SC Club, President of the Capital City Kiwanis Club of Raleigh, NC, and as Lt. Governor of the Carolinas District of Kiwanis International. He was, following his retirement, an active member of the Madison County Kiwanis Club in North Carolina. When he moved to Owensboro, he became an active member of the local Club. He was awarded Life Member Status in Kiwanis International, elected to the Legion of Honor by the Madison County Club, and named a George F. Hixon Fellow by Kiwanis International.

During his lifetime he was an active member and lay leader in the United Methodist Church in Tennessee, South Carolina, and North Carolina. In Owensboro he was a member of Wesleyan Heights United Methodist Church where he served as a trustee.

Beginning with his student days at Branham and Hughes Military Academy he developed a lifelong interest in U. S. Civil War history and read widely in this area as long as he was able. In Owensboro, in his late eighties he developed an interest in writing, joined the Just Write Club, and completed in 2006 the last of four books of memoirs and sketches.

His survivors include his sister, Eva Baggett Scott of Pensacola, FL, his devoted companion, Elizabeth Rhoden of Owensboro, his daughter, Margaret Baggett Britton and husband, Joe, of Owensboro, and his son, Dr. John Foster Baggett, III and wife, Diane, of Clayton, NC.

His Grandchildren are Scott Britton of Owensboro, Dr. Margaret Britton Patchett and husband, Jeff, of Kannapolis, NC, Sarah Baggett Aloise and husband, Randy, of Indialantic Beach, FL, John Mark Baggett of Durham, NC, Samuel Baggett of Okeechobee, FL, Ryan Baggett of Asheville, NC, and Jonathan Ward and wife, Jennifer, of Clayton, NC. Great Grandchildren include Joseph Britton of Madisonville, KY, Jessica Patchett Anderson and husband, Tommy, of Princeton, NJ, Robert and Lauren Patchett of Kannapolis, NC, Mathew Gustafson of Okeechobee, FL, Nathan Gustafson of Indialantic Beach, FL, Sam and Zack Baggett of Okeechobee, FL, and Christopher, Conor, and Colin Ward of Clayton, NC.

Other surviving relatives include several nieces and nephews and four sisters-in-law, Florene Scott Griffin of Central City, KY, Nancy Scott Green and Jean Scott Jackson of Winchester, TN, and Helen Shelby Baggett of Nashville, TN.

A memorial service will be held at Wesleyan Heights United Methodist Church on Friday, May 11, at 2:00 p.m. Visitation with family and friends will follow the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to Kiwanis Club of Owensboro, Box 294, Owensboro, KY 42302-0294, or Wesleyan Heights United Methodist Church, 1215 Scherm Road, Owensboro, KY 42301.

Glenn Funeral Home is handling arrangements and online condolences may be left at www.glennfuneralhome.com