Funeral services for Dr. Joe Allen Baker, 86, of Climax, and West Palm Beach, Fla., were held Saturday, May 22, at the Climax United Methodist Church with the Rev. Wayne McDonald officiating.

Interment followed at Cedar Grove Cemetery in Climax.

Born Sept. 3, 1923, in St. Francis, Ark., Dr. Baker died at his home on Thursday, May 20, 2010.

Dr. Baker graduated from the University of Illinois Medical School in Chicago, Ill., and interned at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, Fla. In 1954, he moved to Belle Glade, Fla., to set up his medical practice as a general practitioner and general surgeon for 36 years.

He was a member of the Belle Glade Community United Methodist Church. He was co-founder and director of the Atlantic Sugar Corp. in Belle Glade, and was an active member of the Everglades Agricultural Community. He was a former chief of staff and board member of Glades General Hospital for many years.

Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Murial J. Baker of Climax; five children, Nancy Brock of Bainbridge, Linda Buss of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., Jay “Joe” Allen Baker Jr. of West Palm Beach, Fla., William Baker of Climax and Richard Baker of West Palm Beach, Fla.; a sister, Fran Osborn of Phoenix, Ariz., and five grandchildren.

Cox-Ware Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.