James Robert Baker, also known as “Jim Bob” or J.R., died on September 13, 2024 at Hospice House in Ottumwa after a courageous 15 year battle with throat cancer.
He was born November 19,1939 in Springfield, MO and was the youngest of 8 children born to Grace Henrieta Baker. Jim’s family moved to Kansas City, MO when he was a small child and spent most of his life as a Kansas City resident.
He graduated from East High School in Kansas City and then joined the U. S. Marine Corps. He was stationed in Japan, the Philippines and the United States, as he proudly served his country and became a life-long “Devil Dog”. After leaving the Marines, he met and married Jerry Elaine Feeney on September 1, 1962. They recently celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary. Jim always joked that he and Jerry were together forever, just like bald eagles.
Jim used his GI benefits to get a college education. He had a strong desire to better himself and improve his family’s life. He worked full-time at night as a clerk in the Postal Service while attending college full-time during the day. He graduated from University of Missouri at Kansas City in 1972 with a degree in political science. Jim found much success with the Postal Service, eventually retiring as the Director of Human Resources for the Kansas City area. After retirement, he needed a new challenge. He became a substitute teacher in the North Kansas City school system for the next 20 years and became a well-known substitute, particularly at New Mark Middle School, where he made many friends.
Jim and Jerry bought a lake house at the Lake of the Ozarks and spent many weekends and summers there. He especially enjoyed piloting his boat, “The Jerry Elaine” on the lake, although at a slower speed than his children and grandchildren would have liked.
Jim took his family on many vacations. It was important to him that they see new sights as he never had the opportunity growing up. His girls have many great memories of these trips and the fun that was had. Later in life, Jim would become very fond of trips to Branson, MO, taking his grandchildren and kids on many of them. He even wrote songs about these trips, “Branson, oh Branson, we’re coming back to you” was everyone’s favorite. The grandkids are left with many fun memories of these special trips.
Jim and Jerry became world travelers and went on many trips to Europe. He especially loved Ireland and Hawaii. Their good friends, Bill and Charlie Dozier accompanied them on many of these trips. Jim loved to travel and was always trying to convince his daughters to take him along on another trip. Jim collected shot glasses. He had an entire wall full of his collected glasses that showcased all of the places he had traveled to in his lifetime.
Jim had many incredible talents. He could pretend to cut his finger off, grill a delicious cheeseburger, and had some great dance moves at weddings. He said his biggest accomplishment was that he raised 3 daughters who never came back to live with him again. He enjoyed Chardonnay wine and Irish whiskey and loved to go out for Mexican food to get a margarita. Jim also loved music. He loved to play his collection of albums on the weekends. Usually starting at an hour in the morning that his children did not embrace. He was excellent at the game Name that Tune. He loved to bet us a quarter if we could tell him what artist was singing a song on the radio. We usually lost those bets. Some of his favorite artists were Gordon Lightfoot, Don Williams, and Bob Seger.
Jim and Jerry retired to Ottumwa in 2016 and moved into a town home at Pennsylvania Place. They enjoyed living there and met many new friends. Their daughter quickly signed them up to join her for the Blessings Soup Kitchen Wednesday crew. Many laughs were had on those Wednesdays and Jim loved eating the lunch and the desserts!
Jim was preceded in death by his parents and 6 of his siblings.
Jim leaves his wife of 62 years, Jerry Elaine Baker of Ottumwa, IA. In addition, Jim was a loving father and fantastic role model. He loved to share his wisdom with his children and grandchildren. He had many famous sayings, “failure to plan is planned failure,” was one he used frequently. He leaves 3 daughters, Leisa (Kent) Walker of Ottumwa, IA, Gina (Mario) Rodriguez of Kansas City, MO and Kathy Baker of Kansas City, MO. He also leaves 8 grandchildren, Sam, Abby and Emma Walker, Jennifer, Trent and Brock Pickett, Jessica (Ryan) Prewitt and Eric (Kendall) Rodriguez. He was especially important to his grandson, Sam Walker. Grandpa and Sam had a very special relationship. Jim did all that he could to help his grandson who was born with many challenges. He learned sign language in order to communicate with him and became his best supporter and buddy. Jim was a family man who will be missed tremendously by all who loved him.
His body has been cremated and services are not planned.
Jerry, his daughters, and all of the grandchildren will be honoring him with a trip to Branson, MO to visit all of the spots where many memories were made.
Memorials may be sent to Blessings Soup Kitchen in honor of Jim.
