Jim was born the son of Holyer and Hattie (Dodson) Baker on June 29, 1931 in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan. He graduated from Cass Tech High School, class of 1949 and earned his bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Lawrence Technological University. Jim married Hermina “Bobbie” Levarsky on April 28, 1951 at St Peters Lutheran Church in _East Detroit, Michigan. Jim and Bobbie raised their family in Utica and later in Rochester Hills. Jim had a career in the Machine Tool Industry. He held Executive positions at the F. Jos .Lamb Company and Schenk Turner.
Jim was a Life Member of Red Run Golf Club and a member of St. John Lutheran Church. He had a passion for family, golf, his yard and reading.
Jim is survived by his loving wife Bobbie; children James (Janet) Baker Jr., Madelyn (Jim) Cosens, and Alison (Fritz) Quitmeyer; 10 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; and his sister Judy Myers. Jim is predeceased by his parents.
Jim’s family will welcome everyone to a visitation on Monday May 9, 2022 from 3 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Pixley Funeral Home, located at 322 West University Drive in downtown Rochester. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. (10 a.m. Instate) at St. John Lutheran Church, located at 1011 West University Drive in Rochester. Burial will follow at Glen Eden Cemetery, located at 35667 Eight Mile Road in Livonia, Michigan.
Memorial contributions may be made in Jim’s honor to: St John Lutheran Church: “One Legacy Fund”.
