Brevard - Eugene Rogers "Gene" Baker, a loving and devoted husband, father, and paw paw, died peacefully on February 6, 2025, at Transylvania Regional Hospital after a period of declining health. He was 88.

Mr. Baker was born in Macon County near Highlands, NC, on November 15, 1936, and was the son of the late Flora Holden and Austin Baker, both natives of Transylvania County. He was also preceded in death by his beloved son, Jonathan.

Gene moved to Brevard in 1946 when his parents built and opened Baker's Jewelry and Watch Repairing Shop on Jordan Street. He graduated from Brevard High School in 1955 and Clemson University in 1959, holding a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. While at Clemson, he was elected membership into several honorary scholastic societies and was awarded the Mark Bernard Hardin Award for Excellence in Chemistry, the Western Carolinas Section of ACS Award, and the Warwick Chemical Foundation Award. He was described by many as "the smartest man I know." While at Clemson, Gene met the love of his life, the former Sally Kemp of Marietta, Ga, who became his wife of nearly 64 years.

After graduating from Clemson, Gene studied at Emory University for one year before joining Ecusta Paper and Film Group of Olin Corporation as a Research Chemist in June of 1960. During his 38 years at Ecusta, he worked in Tobacco Research, Process Engineering, and Technical Research.

As a young professional, Gene was an active member of Brevard-Davidson River Presbyterian Church, the Brevard Rotary Club, and the Brevard Jaycees. He was associated with Troop 703 of the Boy Scouts of America, serving on the troop committee as Assistant Scoutmaster, and he was named Transylvania's "Outstanding Young Man of the Year" for 1967.

In his retirement, Gene shifted his research from paper manufacturing to the history of his community, church, and family. From 2008-2012, he was president of Transylvania Historical Society, where he promoted and pursued grants to restore, preserve, and celebrate historic structures in the county, most notably the Allison-Deavor House and the McGaha Chapel, for which he obtained Local Historic Landmark status. He also managed restoration projects on the Silvermont mansion, and in 2015, Gene and Sally donated funds to construct an ADA-certified trail around the property in memory of their son.  In 2017, the Waightstill Avery Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution honored Gene with an "Excellence in Community Service" Award for his outstanding volunteer service to Brevard and Transylvania County. His generosity, research, and efforts added immeasurable depth and beauty to the history of Transylvania County, its landscape, and its people.

A descendant of the Gillespie family, which is associated with the Gillespie Rifles that were prominent and locally produced products in the region's early days, Gene was an active member of the Transylvania Genealogy Group. He enjoyed spending his retirement hours searching for an elusive document or piece of evidence, and he documented for the first time all the efforts to form a new county, Transylvania, out of Henderson County. He similarly documented efforts to form and incorporate the town of Brevard.

In addition to his dedication to his profession and community, his wife, children, and grandchildren always knew he was their biggest supporter.

He is survived by his wife, Sally Kemp Baker; his daughter, Margaret "Meg" Baker Buchanan and husband, Travis, of Brevard; grandchildren Gracie Carrick, of Stokesdale, NC, and Baker and Grant Buchanan, of Brevard.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 on Friday, February 21, at Brevard-Davidson River Presbyterian Church with a reception immediately following.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Gene may be made to B-DRPC, 249 E. Main St, Brevard, NC 28712, or the Transylvania Historical Society, PO Box 2061, Brevard, NC 28712.

Online condolences may be left at www.moodyconnollyfuneralhome.com

Moody Connolly Funeral Home is caring for the family