James R. Baker

James Russell Baker was born August 30, 1948, the son of Russell and Anita Wulf Baker. He passed away Saturday, November 23, 2013, at his home in Battle Creek, Iowa at the age of 65.
Jim was born in Ida Grove, Iowa. He was baptized in Christ in the Methodist Church on May 15, 1949. He received his education at the Bakersfield Community Schools in Bakersfield, California, graduating with the class of 1966. In October 1966 he enlisted in the United States Army where he served with the 1st Calvary in Vietnam. After receiving his honorable discharge on October 17, 1969, he worked as a telephone splicer, installer, and lineman for Frontier Communications for 30 years, retiring in 2006. On July 13, 1968, Jim was united in marriage to Christine Aguilar at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Bakersfield, California, and the couple was blessed with the birth of three daughters.
Jim was a Christian man and a very loving father and grandfather who enjoyed spending time and making lifelong memories with his family and friends. He was a kind, helpful, loveable man with a magic smile and beautiful blue eyes. Jim had a good heart and offered his help whenever he could. He always spoke kind words about everyone.
Jim enjoyed model trains and he also built a telephone switchboard. In his leisure time, Jim enjoyed watching FOX News and NASCAR on television or listening to 50s and 60s music. He also liked to read western books, military stories, and books by Glen Beck. Jim was a life-time member of the V.F.W. and a Beginning Experience Counselor.
Jim was preceded in death by his father, Russell in 1964. Survivors include three daughters: Trina Montoya and her husband, Marty of Bakersfield, California; Toni Timmins and her husband, Joe of Battle Creek; and Tania Baker of Kansas City, Missouri; three grandchildren: Kendra Fender, and Lorenzo and Robert Montoya; his mother, Anita Baker of Odebolt; and one sister, Annette Orness and her husband, Terry of North Carolina; other relatives and friends.