Obituary for Jimmie Baker

Jimmie Baker, 82, of Pensacola, Florida, passed away on December 11, 2018 after a brief hospitalization. He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Sandra Dantzler Baker of Pensacola; two daughters, Candy Lynn Wardwell (Harry) of Boise, Idaho, and Jan Marie Baker (Jay Bolinger) of Watsonville, California; six grandchildren, Jamie Wardwell Hom (Ben) of Boise, Idaho, Jeff Wardwell (Audrey) of Salinas, California, Carol Trevino, Megan Baker, Terry Bolinger, and Donna Bolinger, all of California, and twelve (12) great-grandchildren. Also a sister, Evelene Nicholsen of Salem, Indiana.

Jim was born in Harlan County, Kentucky, on November 27, 1936. He is predeceased by his parents, Arthur and Annie Baker, and brother, Coleman Baker.

Upon graduation from Loyall High School in 1954, he served in the Navy for 4 years. Transitioning to private industry, he became an Avionics Engineer with Naval Air Engineering Service Unit (NAESU). He traveled to Navy Installations worldwide providing technical avionic support to the troops. He was proud to have worked with the F/A-18 Hornet and on numerous aircraft carriers, his last being the John F. Kennedy.

Jim was a private pilot and instructor. He loved to fly his Grumman AA-5 and Flight Design CTSW airplanes. He flew over 800 youth for the Experimental Aircraft Association's (EAA) Young Eagle Program. He hoped one day a former Young Eagle would land on the moon and say, "Thank you, Mr. Baker!" His great joy was introducing others to flying and he instructed at Ferguson Airport in Pensacola for over 30 years.

After retiring in 1995, he and Sandy returned to Pensacola where life became busy and fun as they traveled with the Pensacola Airstream Club and served as president of the local Airstream Unit 29. Jim served as president of the local EAA Chapter 485 and volunteered at the Museum of Naval Aviation for many years. His memberships included the Quiet Birdmen, the Old Antarctic Explorers Association and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA).

Visitation will be held Wednesday, December 19, 2018 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home South, 100 Beverly Parkway, Pensacola, FL 32505. from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Funeral Services will be held Thursday, December 20, 2018 at 10:30 AM at the same location. Burial will follow at 12:00 noon at Barrancas National Cemetery, NAS Pensacola.

A Celebration of Life will follow at 1:00 at Lost Key Marina & Yacht Club off Gulf Beach Highway (10045 Sinton Drive) in the Member Clubhouse. Friends and family are invited to write a brief remembrance of Jim to drop in a Memory Box.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the national EAA Young Eagle program, www.EAA.org/Give and choose Young Eagles.

VETERANS DIRECTORY:

BAKER, JIMMIE

AT2 US NAVY

KOREA

DATE OF BIRTH: 11/27/1936

DATE OF DEATH: 12/11/2018

BURIED AT: SECTION 55 SITE 2229

BARRANCAS NATIONAL CEMETERY

NAVAL AIR STATION, 1 CEMETERY ROAD PENSACOLA, FL 32508

(850) 453-4108

∼AT2 US NAVY

KOREA