James Bruce Baine Sr.'s Obituary
James “Bruce” Baine, Sr. of Covington, LA passed away on Saturday, June 6, 2020. He was born on November 22, 1925 in Durant, MS to Matthew and Willie “Zelma” (Mayo) Baine.
Bruce is survived by his beloved wife, Freda Fay (Manuel) Baine; his children James “Bruce” Baine, Jr., Belinda Baine Breaux (Rodney), Karen Baine Lodato (Darryl); his grandchildren Baine Bernard Breaux (Amanda), Brunet Benjamin Breaux, Brennan Bruce Breaux, Brierre Bailey Breaux, Noelle Lodato Thompson (Nick), and Matthew Baine Lodato; and his four great-grandchildren Adelaide Breaux, Olivia Breaux, Grace Breaux, and Harlow Rainwater.
Bruce is preceded in death by his daughter Rebecca Lyn Baine, his brother Matthew D. Baine, Jr. and his parents.
Bruce was born in Durant, MS and graduated from Durant High School. After graduating from high school, Bruce joined the Army Air Corps during World War II, and proudly served as a Tail Gunner on a B-24 Liberator, also known as the “flying coffin”. After being honorably discharged from the service, he attended and graduated from Mississippi State University with a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Aviation and Management on the G.I. Bill. His career in insurance claims began when he went to work for Royal Globe Insurance Company, where he eventually became the claims manager for the New Orleans office. He also served as Chairman of the New Orleans Claims Management Council.
Bruce was very active in the community, serving as President of the Jefferson Parish Community Clubs Association (JPCCA), Chairman of the Board for the Metairie YMCA, a 32nd Degree Mason at Louisiana Lodge 102, and Shriner and Jester at the Jerusalem Temple. Bruce loved to sing and was a choir member at First Baptist Church in Covington. He was an avid outdoorsman who belonged to Campers on Mission and Cruisin’ Cajuns RV Club.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral services at E.J. Fielding Funeral Home, 2260 W 21st Ave, Covington, LA 70433 on Thursday, June 11, 2020 at 11:00 AM with visitation on Thursday beginning at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow the services in Pinecrest Memorial Gardens, Covington, LA. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in memory of Mr. Baine may be made to Camp Living Waters in Loranger, LA or Shiner’s Hospital for Children. Donations may be either mailed to Camp Living Waters, 21230 Livingwater Road, Loranger, LA, 70446 or Shriners Hospitals for Children, Processing Center, PO Box 863765, Orlando, FL 32886 or can be made at ¬https://www.camplivingwaters.net/support- clw or https://www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/shreveport.
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