Phillip “Jack” Jackson Baugh Jr., 90, former president of the United States Trotting Association, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Sept. 10.
Born in 1932 to Philip Jackson and Frances Jones Baugh in Charlotte, North Carolina, the older brother to his sister Jill, Jack was an engineer, athlete and pilot in his youth, graduating from Duke University in 1954. More important to him than his graduation was meeting and marrying (in 1953) his beloved first wife of 31 years, Patricia Jeanne Meyers. After his graduation from Duke, Jack was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force Reserve. He excelled in the Air Force, finishing first in his class, receiving an Award of Merit, and becoming a Captain before his Honourable Discharge in 1962.
In these early years at Duke, in Texas, and then back in Charlotte, they were blessed with their four children Kim, Lisa, Philip and Patricia. Jack began his business career as an executive in the textile industry in North Carolina, eventually merging three textile companies together to create P.J. Baugh Industries. He added other enterprises over time, including Almahurst Farm in Nicholasville, Kentucky, and Arlington Aircraft Research Company. The aircraft firm built the famous all metal SISU 1A Sailplane that set multiple records and now hangs proudly in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C. Jack was also active in politics in North Carolina, serving two terms in the North Carolina House of Representatives before moving into the North Carolina Senate in 1969. Jack’s love for the world of horse breeding and racing took him and his family to Lexington, where he built a global leader in Standardbred harness racing. He was active in the industry, serving as President of the United States Trotting Association, and earning multiple awards for his contributions to the industry including Horseman of the Year from Horseman and Fair World. Jack also continued to be active in aviation, acquiring Sprite Flite Jets and creating a leading Fixed Base Operator (FBO), which he later turned into the Aviation Museum of Kentucky. Jack’s passion for giving back and making a difference in his communities led him to serve on and chair the boards of Transylvania University and Duke University and serve as a Sunday school teacher, Deacon, and Elder with the Presbyterian Church.
Heartbreakingly, Patricia died in 1984. In 1986, Jack married his beloved second wife, Lura Jane Kelly, also adding her four sons to his family. Jack was an inspiring, engaging father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He is survived by his daughters Kimberly Baugh Browning, Lisa Baugh Carson, and Patricia L. Baugh (Brent Caldwell); his son Philip Jackson Baugh III (Mary, and her children, Chris Bengert (April) and Bryan Bengert (Elise); his given sons, William Watkins Kelly Jr. (Cathie), Robert Jackson Kelly, Blair Massey Kelly (Laurie), and Gregory Clark Kelly (Anne); 15 grandsons, Philip Jackson Baugh IV (Amy), Patton John Baugh, Christian Meyers Browning (Stephanie), Stephen Poindexter Carson, (Maggie), Christopher Baugh Carson (Abby), Philip Gaines Carson (Jacqueline), Thomas Evans Kelly, Stuart Grier Kelly, Grant Taylor Kelly, Tyler Clark Kelly, Austin Mcleod Kelly, Carter Phillips Kelly, and Jackson Pierce Kelly; two granddaughters, Hannah Jane Kelly, and Morgan Elizabeth Kelly; his great-grand daughter River Ainsley Grimes Baugh, and great-grandsons Philip Jackson Baugh V, Stephen Poindexter Carson III and Lawrence Hardwick Carson.
The family will have a visitation at the Aviation Museum of Kentucky, 4029 Airport Road, Lexington, Kentucky. From 2-6 p.m. with remarks at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 21.
In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the Aviation Museum of Kentucky, Transylvania University, The American Heart Association, or Duke University.
Please make cheques payable to Duke University and in the memo line write 6180572:
Phillip Jackson Baugh Fund and mail to:
U.S. Mail–
Alumni and Development Records, Duke University, Box 90581
Durham, NC 27708-0581
Express Mail-(UPS/Fedex)–
Alumni and Development Records, c/o Duke University Cashiering,
114 S. Buchanan Blvd., Bay 8 Room B-103
Durham, NC 27701
Internment will be at a later date at the family Mausoleum in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Jack Baugh.
(USTA)