John Edward Baker

“Jack” Baker of Stafford died at his home on Saturday, April 14, 2012 at the age of 86. He was born in Whitehall, NY on June 1, 1925 to the late Roy and Katherine Baker. He had a brother, Roy K Baker, Jr. who preceded him in death. He received his B-Ed from New York State Teachers College at Plattsburgh in 1947; New York University, Masters Ed Program 1948; University of Mississippi, MBA, Business 1963; US Army War College, 1969; Harvard Business School, Advanced Management Program, (AMP64) 1972; Graduate Realtors Institute (GRI) 1979. He was a member of Beta Gamma Sigma. He met his wife Luella while teaching history at Saugerties Public School, Saugerties, New York. They were married in 1948. He saw action in World War II as a Naval officer in the Pacific theatre. After the war, he enlisted in the Army in the Artillery branch, where he served a decorated career for 26 years. During that time he was stationed in Germany, Korea, Vietnam and various bases in the US. While commanding in Viet Nam he received the Silver Star. He has also been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Legion of Merit with two Oak leaf clusters, the Bronze Star with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Commendation Medal with Valor and two Oak Leaf Clusters for Cambodia; the Air Medal with Valor and 16 Oak Leaf Clusters; The Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry and the Vietnam Armed Forces Staff Medal. After retiring from an illustrious career in the military as a Colonel he worked as a business consultant for General Business Services before becoming a Realtor in 1975. He spent the rest of his life as a Real Estate Broker in Stafford, VA and was a member of the Fredericksburg Board of Realtors. He started his Real Estate career with Aquia Realty. In 1988 he opened Jack Baker and Associates Inc. in Stafford, Virginia. While a Broker he saw Stafford transform from a community of approx. 24,000 to 129,000. He was a dedicated, honest, and respected businessman and a mentor to the community of Realtors and business developers in Stafford. Jack is survived by his wife of 63 years, Luella; three children, Bonnie McNeese and husband, David; Kathie Heimerdinger; John Baker and wife, Teri; 10 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren and 1 step grandchild. A memorial service will be held Friday, April 20th at 5:00 p.m. at Mullins & Thompson, Stafford Chapel. Interment will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in his name may be made to Shriners Hospital for Children-Houston, 6977 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77030, or the Wounded Warrior Project, National Processing Center, PO Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516.