John A. Baker, Jr.

John was born on October 15, 1945, to parents John and Johanna VanBaal in Darby, PA, grew up in Alexandria, VA and attended Gonzaga HS in Washington, DC. He went on to study Biology at Wheeling College in Wheeling, WV and there met his college sweetheart, and future wife, Donna Elizabeth May. They were married on June 22, 1969, in Pittsburgh, PA. John then went on to receive his MD in 1972 from the Medical College of Virginia, achieving his goal of becoming a physician, a dream he had chased since he was a child.

During his intern year he a was appointed a Reserve Commissioned Officer in the US Army and then completed his pediatric residency in 1975. Subsequently, he went on active duty and was assigned to Fort Leonard Wood Hospital in Missouri as a pediatric physician. A few short years later he was transferred to Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii. While there, he was introduced to the field of adolescent medicine to which he dedicated the rest of his medical career. Following completion of an adolescent medicine fellowship in 1983 at Fitzsimmons Army Medical Center in Denver, CO, John and his family moved to Texas for an assignment to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, from which he ultimately retired.

During his 27 years at BAMC, John was devoted to adolescent care and the teaching of medical students and residents. He was promoted to Colonel in 1987 and later served as Chief of Adolescent Medicine. He retired from military service in 1995. Following his retirement, he became a contract physician at BAMC and from 2001-2009 served as a teacher and mentor for the Adolescent Medicine Fellowship. He retired from medicine in 2010.

John was married to his college sweetheart for 53 years. Together they had 4 children and created a beautiful family. He was a devoted husband and father, loved his family whole-heartedly and planned his career to be able to spend as much time with them as possible. He was funny, caring and generous. All his life he maintained a strong faith in God, and he held on to it despite the challenges he faced in the end.

GOLF was Johns favorite pastime. Taught to play at a young age by his father, John played throughout his teen years. While in the service he took advantage of the golf courses available at the military installations to which he was assigned until commitments to family and his medical career led him to curtail playing for many years. Retirement brought renewed interest and opportunities to work on his game. Road trips to Iowa to visit his grandchildren included the challenges of Iowa golf courses and visits to Disneyworld always included multiple visits to Mickeys courses. Back home, he played 2- 3 rounds per week with friends and later with the Seniors Group at Silverhorn Golf Club until the onset of the pandemic and his cancer diagnosis. After his diagnosis he still managed to get out on the golf course for shortened rounds until his last game in January 2022.

John was preceded in death by his parents, John and Johanna and by his sister Mary Louise.

He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Donna; children Todd (Danielle), Sean (Connie), Kim (Rami) and Erin; 12 grandchildren; sister, JoMarie; and numerous other family members and friends. His passing has left a hole in our hearts and a gap in our lives that will never be filled.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00pm, Monday, June 6, 2022, at Porter Loring North.

Mass, Tuesday, June 7, 2022, at 11:00am at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church, 1602 Thousand Oaks Drive, San Antonio, TX

Pallbearers: Todd Baker, Sean Baker, Rami El Abiad, Evan Baker, Aiden Baker, Mike Colbenson, Tom Loring & Dennis Grill.

Interment with full Military Honors will follow at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery at 1pm.

Memorial contributions can be made to:

Roy Maas Youth Alternatives

3103 West Ave., San Antonio, TX 78213

rmya.harnessapp.com