Joe Carroll Backus

A Celebration of His Life Memorial Service for Joe Carroll Backus, age 82, of Ruston, will be held at 10 a.m. Feb. 11, 2012, at Cook Baptist Church in Ruston, La. Dr. Mike Holloway will officiate the service. Mr. Backus was born in Springdale, Ark., on Dec. 25, 1929, and died on Feb. 1, 2012, in Ruston, La. Mr. Joe Backus graduated from Springdale High School in 1947, and then attended Monticello A&M with a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1960. He later graduated from Southwestern Theological Seminary with a Masters of Religious Education in 1962. Brother Joe Backus spent most of his life in the Southern Baptist ministries serving three Baptist Camps as camp manager. He also served in many churches as education director and administrator. Other ministries included Youth Director and Mission Development Director for Concorde Union Baptist Association. Mr. Backus touched many lives throughout his life and often jokingly referred to himself as the "Minister of Intimidation" for the 66 churches in northern Louisiana. His mission included involving members of Southern Baptist churches on any type of mission work. Mr. Backus also organized several trips to Yucatan, Mexico, involving up to 40 volunteer missionaries at a time. He organized the building of church buildings, conducted revivals and oversaw educational training. In 1973, he helped organize and establish the Acadian Baptist Center in Eunice, defining the camp's purpose and developing its budget. Later, he became the first manager, serving the camp for nine years. With a 450-bed facility, the camp served about 12,000 people a year. Backus oversaw promotion, administration, program planning, fundraising and all scheduling. During his service there, more than 2,000 people made professions of faith. The camp has a street named in his honor. Brother Joe Backus recently retired from Backus True Value. He was co-owner with his son, Jody Backus, of the Backus True Value Hardware and Quality Photo/Bass Pro Outlet Shop, both in Ruston. Joe was happily married to Beth Scott Backus of Star City, Ark., for more than 61 years. Other survivors include two children, Melaney Elizabeth DeOliviera, wife of Rhea DeOliviera and Joe C. Backus II (Jody). They have five grandsons: Charley DeOliviera who is married to wife, Charlotte, and Bryan DeOliviera who is married to wife, Nikki, Ben Backus, Stephen Backus, and Caleb Backus; and 4 great-grandchildren. Tributes will be given by Backus' former youth, John Threadgill, Roger Jackson, a former camp staffer, Steve Accord, president of Acadian Baptist Center board, James Lower and a family member, James Calhoun. In lieu of flowers please make all memorial gifts to Acadian Baptist Center, 1202 Academy Drive, Eunice, LA 70535.