of Springfield, MO
August 29, 1931 - February 9, 2024
Mercein Jackson (Jack) Baskin, 92, of Springfield, Missouri died Friday, February 9th in Springfield. He was born August 29, 1931 in Clarksville to Dewy Buchanan and Essie (Jacobs) Baskin. Jack always described his childhood as being surrounded by loving parents and siblings living on the farm. He decided not to attend college but rather join the US Army. While in training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, he met and married his late wife, Shirley. Not long afterwards, the Korean War began and he was sent to the battlefield as a combat engineer. The plight of the people of Korea greatly touched him but it wasn't until he came home that the Lord spoke to him and called him back to Korea as a missionary. He attended Baptist Bible College, Springfield, Missouri, graduating in 1957. He and his family served as missionaries for ten years in Korea. He started eight churches and a Bible College. He returned home to the US in 1969 and began working at the BBFI Mission Office and teaching mission classes at Baptist Bible College. In 1972, he left Springfield for California to serve as the Executive Vice President of Pacific Baptist Bible College in San Dimas. In 1984, he left California for Georgia to serve as President of Baptist University of America in Atlanta. During that time, he and his son, Steve, started Western Hills Baptist Church in Kennesaw. Over the years, while living in Georgia, Jack served as President of Atlantic Baptist College, helped several churches by temporarily pastoring through a difficult time and was active in missions in several closed countries. While traveling to these closed countries, he began to believe that the Filipino people he saw everywhere while traveling were ready to begin mission work worldwide. Jack spent a great amount of time in the Philippines devoting his time to teaching missions. In 2016, he met and married Shari and they began traveling throughout the US and worldwide teaching missions. During their 7 years of marriage, they traveled to 36 countries. Never did Jack slow down or lessen his desire to lead people to the Lord and teach about missions. Even up to right before his death he was planning travel and talking about missions.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Shirley J. Baskin; daughter, Valerie Wilburn; daughter, Deborah Lee and daughter, Sandra Howard and one grandson, Timothy Parker. Jack was the last of his siblings and preceded in death by three brothers, Garth Baskin, Wade Baskin and Blake Baskin and three sisters, Reba Laster, Ann Schmatjen and Marilyn Kilcrease.
Jack is survived by his wife, Shari Baskin; his son, Steven M. Baskin (wife, Junellen); daughter, Vickie Wood; stepsons, Ben Black (Kelli) and Ryan Black (Nicole) and stepdaughter, Sara Black. He was greatly blessed with 14 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and 11 great-great grandchildren.
A visitation will begin 12 p.m. Monday, February 12, 2024 at Roller-Cox Funeral Home Chapel followed by a funeral service at 2 p.m. Interment will be at Harmony Cemetery. Pastor Steve Baskin and Pastor Craig Bowler will be officiating.
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17 Condolence(s)
Garry Michael Matheny
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Bro. Jack Baskin was the reason I went to PCBBC and later graduated from this Bible College. My wife Nancy and I have started four churches that are self-supporting and now starting another one here in North Carolina. He was always a soul winner and a great example to us all at the college!
"The memory of the just is blessed:" Pro. 10:7
Bro. Garry Matheny
Kathy Farina
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
I will never forget Dr. Baskin because he was the first pastor we heard speak at Western Hills Baptist when we moved here in 1992. I loved listening to him. His stories and sermons were always so interesting and he always did mention Korea experiences also during his sermons, which was very interesting too, he was a sweet sweet man and we really enjoyed our time with him at Western Hills Baptist Church with Dr. Baskin and Steve Baskin as they would preach right from the Bible ! We learned a lot from Dr Baskin and his sermons. This isn’t goodbye Dr. Baskin, we will See you later in heaven.
Dr. Bob and Chris Preston
Sunday, February 18, 2024
Dr. Jack Baskin has been a great influence in our service to our Lord Jesus Christ. It was Dr. Baskin encouragement for me to attend P.C.B.B.C. and further education. I often remember his question: " If you chop down a tree, would you use a dull axe or a sharp axe" The answer is: "a sharp axe!" Dr. Baskin would then say: "Come to college and sharpen the axe."
Thank you, Dr. Baskin for your wisdom.
Phillip Sexton
Friday, February 16, 2024
One of God's great soldiers has gone to rest with Jesus. Well done Mercein Baskins well done thou good and faithful servant. We will meet again.
Rev. Keith and Mariella Mills
Tuesday, February 13, 2024
It was a great privilege to meet Bro. Baskin during are deputation and furlough while we are serving our Lord Jesus Christ as missionaries in Scotland.
Our prayers are with the family.
Steve and Pam Workman
Tuesday, February 13, 2024
Dr. Baskin was a great man of God and an influence for missions for generations to come. He was a wonderful blessing to Pam and I.
May God bless and comfort all his family and friends.
Kevin C Brown
Tuesday, February 13, 2024
Dr Baskin was loving pastor and passionate about missionary. Thank you Lord for the opportunity to know him personally. It is a privilege to be a small part of his legacy. The Lord, through the life of Dr Baskin, awakened my heart to the need of foreign missions. My prayer is that my life will continue to reflect the same passion for lost souls in Croatia as Dr Baskin exhibited until the Lord called him home. With joy I await the day we shall all worship together again our Lord and Savior for all eternity.
Dr. James McClure
Monday, February 12, 2024
Dr Baskin was a blessing to all who met him. He always had a smile on his face and was always headed somewhere.
Kristi (Baskin) Graham
Monday, February 12, 2024
There’s no words to really adequately express all the many memories for 26 1/2 years. You took a young girl in her teens and made me your daughter. During the PCBBC days I traveled all over the CA coast with you. We moved to GA and worked in the ministries together at BUA and WHBC. Traveling overseas in missions. Many souls led to Christ in Steve’s and our ministry with you and mom. Your influence greatly lingers on in our son Graham Baskin (pastor in Houston) and Karri-Marie Baskin Shankute. Thankful to have been loved by you all these many years, as you’ve always called me, Kid. See you in heaven Dad Baskin.
Greg Vandegriffe
Monday, February 12, 2024
Uncle Jack touched so many lives spreading the word of our Lord. He was joy to be around and a great mentor. Rest in peace.
Rubén y Lis
Monday, February 12, 2024
Conocimos al pastor Jack Baskin en las conferencias de la unión pastoral Bautista del Sur, en Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas, México y fue de gran bendición e inspiración escuchar a un hombre que amaba a Dios y lo mostraba sirviendo en las misiones por todo el mundo y animando a hombres a ir al campo misionero.
Enviamos un afectuoso abrazo y nuestra oración por la hermana Shari
Melissa lee
Sunday, February 11, 2024
Dear Grandpa,
Thank you for being such an amazing influence on so many people in this world. You are a true light and a servant for God. Love you and may you rest in peace in heaven.
Love,
Melissa
Jim & Sandy Williams
Sunday, February 11, 2024
We will always remember the great time of fellowship we shared with Bro. Jack, Shirley, Steve and the family during our time in Marietta GA back in the 80’s while we were there!!!
It was sure a blessing and one we will never forget!!!
Our prayers are with Shari, Steve and the family during this time……
Jim&Sandy
Blacklick OH
1 Thess 4:13-18
Sherri Sexton Rodgerson
Sunday, February 11, 2024
“Mercein” as we knew him was my mentor from the time I was a young woman.
Our family and his were close as we attended church together in Clarksville. His oldest daughter, Valerie, and I were the same age.
Our family corresponded with them when their family went to Korea.
I attended Baptist Bible College when he was there and was under his mentorship.
What a grand reunion when we all get to heaven!!!
Bob Bean
Saturday, February 10, 2024
Mercein is a relative of mine on the Baskin. My Grandmother on my Mothers side was married to Uncle Dude's brother James Baskin. When Blake was alive some of the young people from Stillwell Bible Baptist church would go to Uncle Dude and aunt Essie's home and sing for Blake.
Donna Jacobs
Friday, February 9, 2024
Michael Vandegriffe
Friday, February 9, 2024
Dearly love my Uncle Jack...if not for him I would not know our Lord and Savior...my life and many others changed after spending time with Uncle Jack...well done sir...rest in peace