John Baskin, Jr.
07/16/1938 - 08/19/2020
Funeral services will be held Thursday, August 27, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. from the chapel of Ross-Clayton Funeral Home.
He was preceded in death by his parents; 2 brothers: Walter Lee Frazier and David Frazier; 1 sister, Helen Baskin-Fleming.
John accepted Christ at an early age and joined First Baptist Church in 1963 and was a dedicated member of First Baptist Church for 57 years. He married the love of his life, Sondra Townsend, in this sanctuary on June 13,1965. The ceremony was conducted by Rev. Larry Williams. The First Baptist Church was also one of the gathering places to help organize the Bus Boycott, and John was an avid participant. He worked several hours each day to support the Boycott.
John graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in the class of 1957. He attended Alabama State University and various military classes. He heavily encouraged his children to pursue their education to the highest level.
John was a proud and honorable member of the United States Army, joining at the age of 19, in 1957. After 2 years of active duty service, he enlisted in the Alabama Army National Guard in 1959, at the 167th Material Management Center, Montgomery, Alabama. John served in several positions throughout his career in the Alabama National Guard. He had 41 years of combined service to his country.
After retiring from the Army National Guard, John worked at Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base in Montgomery at the Noncommissioned Officer Club. He was also a member of the Nostalgia Working Men’s Club, dedicated to community service, including for children in need. John was a long standing member of the Prince Hall Masons of Hamilton Lodge, #365 of Montgomery, Alabama.
John loved attending the Alabama State University games. He was a great cook and loved showing off his grilling skills at the Alabama State tailgate parties.
He loved his family immeasurably and wanted to see them all do well in life. His favorite thing to tell us was, "Oh by the way, I love you and don’t you ever forget it!" Dad would always want to know when we would be home to see him and needless to say, hated to see us leave. We will cherish that love he had for us and instilled instilled in us for the rest of our lives until we see him again. We love you and miss you so much, daddy!
He leaves to cherish his memories: a loving and devoted wife, Sondra Townsend-Baskin; 3 daughters: LaTangie Gardner, Del City, OK; Konda (Mike) Baskin-Jones, Knoxville, TN; Johnetta (Bobby) Baskin-White, Montgomery, AL; 2 sons: LeRon Baskin, Montgomery, AL; Brennis (Katisha) Baskin, Montgomery, AL; 9 grandchildren: Monique Gardner-Francis, Gilbert, AZ; Tiffany Gardner, Del City, OK; LeRon Baskin, Jr., San Antonio, TX; NaKiya Baskin, Montgomery, AL; Michael Keenan Jones, Knoxville, TN; Deven Jones, Knoxville, TN; Kristina Jones, Knoxville, TN; Brayden White, Montgomery, AL; 4 great grandchildren; 6 nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and special friends.
Text: Services will be live streamed- please see information below: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8522916425? pwd=RWF6azdSSis4dDhBbUpaL2Y5eGFwQT09
Meeting ID: 852 291 6425 Passcode: 729367