George Baka, an award-winning graphics designer for more than 45 years, assisted The Mouse Tamer with cover and layout design for the past five years.

Baka died Feb. 25 after suffering a stroke. He was a resident of Emerald Isle and Merritt, NC. He was the husband of Yvonne Gray (Baka). They were married in 2007.

Mr. Baka served as National Director of Arts and Exibits for the USDA in DC for 30 years. Baka, a graduate of the Pratt School of Art, Brooklyn, NY, joined the Department in 1964 after serving as an Art Director in the private sector for five years.

At the USDA he served directly under the US Secretary of Agriculture. He taught in the USDA's School of Design and travelled throughout the world supervising the setup of exhibits. Mr. Baka developed a staff with the expertise and capability of producing top quality graphics and exhibits for the Department, both in this country and abroad.

He received many awards from the Washington Art Directors Club and the New York Art Directors Club, along with foreign government recognition in the form of gold medals from Russia and Spain, and special gifts from heads of state in Japan and Portugal. Because of his many recognized achievements, Baka's advice and acceptance was often sought out by the US presidents, members of the White House and other departments, agencies, and offices through the Federal Government.

After his retirement in 1991, he taught Commercial Art and Graphic Art at Pitt County Community College in Greenville for 10 years. He was a member of the Pamlico County Coast Guard Auxilliary for 10 years, serving as Flotilla Commander for several years. He served as an aerial photographer and in battle in the Air Force during the Korean War and received many metals. He was a skilled wood carver and creative photographer.

Baka is also an award-winning photographer. He learned the craft while serving in the USAF during the Korean War. Since moving to the North Carolina coast he has continued to sharpen his photography skills. He is also an accomplished pilot and enjoys wood carving. His favorite subjects are the waterfowl found in Eastern North Carolina.