On Sunday, October 6, 2019, John R “JJ” Baker, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend passed away at the age of 69. This was a shock to many as he was only very recently diagnosed with cancer.
John was preceded in death by his father Harold O and mother Lillian Watt Baker. He was born on May 22, 1950 in Covington KY. When he was 2 the family moved to New Jersey, where he grew up with 3 older siblings. John graduated from Watchung Hills Regional High School in Warren NJ, and then earned a BS in Psychology from Salem College in West Virginia. He then earned a Masters of Arts from Central Michigan University where his studies focused on Counseling and Guidance.
Returning to NJ John worked at a group home for boys before changing career paths taking a job in sales with GATX, a terminaling company. That job lead to an offer from a competitor, Paktank, which moved the family to Houston, TX. Paktank later became Vopak, from which he retired.
John enjoyed life! He loved being at the beach and owned a house on the Bolivar Peninsula until Ike swept it away. He bought a Honda Gold Wing motorcycle/trike and traveled the country, trying to visit all of the national parks on the mainland. He didn’t get to all of them but he made a very good dent in his list. He enjoyed the camaraderie and friendship within the GWRRA riding group. His hobbies are sports and gardening and he was the proud recipient of a tomato growing award this year from the Arbor Gate.
John is survived by his wife of 37 years, Maureen Steger Baker, and his 2 sons, Paul R and Mark O Baker, Mark’s wife Jessica and their son Owen. His siblings include sisters Marie Comune-Saner and husband Al, Loretta Maksimik and husband Walter of NJ, Brother Harold O Baker III, and his wife Rena of VA, plus his many nieces and nephews.
The viewing and funeral for John will be at Forest Park - The Woodlands. Viewing is on Sunday, October 13 from 3-6 PM. Burial is on Monday October 14th at 10:00 AM.
To celebrate his life, the family asks that visitors wear blue, John’s favorite color, or any bright color, in lieu of black.
In lieu of flowers please consider donations to Wreaths Across America, under the John ‘JJ’ Baker fundraising page. John was a proud rider in the Patriot Guard motorcycle escort which escorted the wreaths to the Houston National Cemetery, where he helped to lay them on the graves of our fallen military. Or to any charity of your choice.
The family would like to thank all of the caring team who worked to treat John during his short time as a patient at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. There are so many who showed John and Maureen much compassion and caring.
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