John "Jack" Baker of Stafford County died at his home Saturday, April 14, 2012, at the age of 86.
He was born in Whitehall, N.Y., on June 1, 1925, to Roy and Katherine Baker. His parents and his brother, Roy K Baker Jr., preceded him in death.
He received his bachelor's degree from New York State Teachers College at Plattsburgh in 1947; a master's in education from New York University in 1948; and an MBA from the University of Mississippi in 1963. He also completed programs at the U.S. Army War College in 1969; the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School in 1972; and the Graduate Realtors Institute in 1979. He was a member of Beta Gamma Sigma.
He met his wife, Luella, while teaching history at Saugerties Public School, Saugerties, N.Y. They were married in 1948.
He saw action in World War II as a Navy officer in the Pacific. After the war he enlisted in the Army's artillery branch, where he had a decorated, 26-year career. He was stationed in Germany, Korea, Vietnam and various bases in the U.S. While commanding in Vietnam, he received the Silver Star.
He also was 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 as a colonel, he worked as a consultant for General Business Services before becoming a Realtor in 1975. He spent the rest of his life as a broker in Stafford 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. While a broker, he saw Stafford transform from a community of approximately 24,000 to 129,000. He was a dedicated, honest, and respected businessman and a mentor to Stafford Realtors and developers.
Jack is survived by his wife of 63 years, Luella; three children, Bonnie McNeese and husband David, Kathie Heimerdinger, and John Baker and wife Teri; 11 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
A memorial service wa held at 5 p.m. Friday, April 20, at Mullins & Thompson, Stafford Chapel. Interment was in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Shriners Hospital for Children-Houston, 6977 Main St., Houston, Texas 77030; or the Wounded Warrior Project, National Processing Center, Box 758516, Topeka, Kan. 66675-8516.
Online condolences may be made at mullinsthompson stafford.com.
John "Jack" Baker of Stafford County died at his home Saturday, April 14, 2012, at the age of 86.
He was born in Whitehall, N.Y., on June 1, 1925, to Roy and Katherine Baker. His parents and his brother, Roy K Baker Jr., preceded him in death.
He received his bachelor's degree from New York State Teachers College at Plattsburgh in 1947; a master's in education from New York University in 1948; and an MBA from the University of Mississippi in 1963. He also completed programs at the U.S. Army War College in 1969; the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School in 1972; and the Graduate Realtors Institute in 1979. He was a member of Beta Gamma Sigma.
He met his wife, Luella, while teaching history at Saugerties Public School, Saugerties, N.Y. They were married in 1948.
He saw action in World War II as a Navy officer in the Pacific. After the war he enlisted in the Army's artillery branch, where he had a decorated, 26-year career. He was stationed in Germany, Korea, Vietnam and various bases in the U.S. While commanding in Vietnam, he received the Silver Star.
He also was 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 as a colonel, he worked as a consultant for General Business Services before becoming a Realtor in 1975. He spent the rest of his life as a broker in Stafford 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. While a broker, he saw Stafford transform from a community of approximately 24,000 to 129,000. He was a dedicated, honest, and respected businessman and a mentor to Stafford Realtors and developers.
Jack is survived by his wife of 63 years, Luella; three children, Bonnie McNeese and husband David, Kathie Heimerdinger, and John Baker and wife Teri; 11 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
A memorial service wa held at 5 p.m. Friday, April 20, at Mullins & Thompson, Stafford Chapel. Interment was in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Shriners Hospital for Children-Houston, 6977 Main St., Houston, Texas 77030; or the Wounded Warrior Project, National Processing Center, Box 758516, Topeka, Kan. 66675-8516.
Online condolences may be made at mullinsthompson stafford.com.
