Helping Families and Friends Honor Loved Ones Since 1959

John R. Baker

John R. Baker was born October 7, 1935 in Inglewood, California and departed this life on January 24, 2018 at the Pleasant Hill Health and Rehabilitation Center in Pleasant Hill, Missouri, at the age of 82 years, 3 months and 17 days.

He was the son of Robert L. and Marguerite (Butske) Baker.

While still an infant, John’s family moved to Garberville, California and lived in a log cabin that John’s father, Robert, had built. In 1946 the Baker family moved to Warrensburg, Missouri where John attended College High School, then, in 1951 the family moved to Independence, Missouri. John was a 1953 graduate of William Chrisman High School. In 1954, at the age of 19, John joined the National Guard, and in April of 1955 he joined the United States Navy and proudly served his Country. John served aboard several submarines during his naval career, including the Henry Clay, and spent time in Kobe, Japan, China, Guam, Cuba, Okinawa, Korea, Bermuda, Jamaica, Haiti, Spain and Puerto Rico on tours of duty.

On October 19, 1957 John was united in marriage with Dorothy Kraus, a young woman he had met on a blind date in 1955, while in boot camp, in the Chicago area. After their marriage, they made their first home in Long Beach, California where John was stationed. Their first two children, Linda and Kenny, were born in Vallejo, California during this time. John’s next assignment was in Charleston, South Carolina, where their son Ricky was born. After leaving South Carolina, the Baker family was stationed in Idaho Falls, Idaho where their daughter Deb was born, and their last assignment, before John retired, was in Virginia Beach, Virginia. After John’s honorable discharge from the Navy on October 28, 1964, the Baker family moved to Independence, Missouri and their two youngest daughters, Teresa and Susan were born. Five years later, the Baker family moved to Cowgill, Missouri where they remained until 1974 when they moved to the St. Petersburg, Florida area. In 1986, the Baker’s moved back to the Independence area to make their home. In May of 2017, with both John and Dorothy’s health declining, they moved to the Pleasant Hill Health and Rehabilitation Center in Pleasant Hill, Missouri.

After John’s retirement from the Navy he worked as a mechanic for several engine repair businesses.

John was baptized at the age of 10, in the RLDS church, and in October of 1984, he was ordained a Priest. After moving to Independence, John became an Elder in the Restoration Branch of the RLDS Church. He also served as an organist and his wife Dorothy would accompany him on the piano.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Marguerite Baker; one son, Kenneth Baker; three brothers, Mark, Bob and Daryl Baker and one sister, Marguerite Solomon.

He is survived by his wife Dorothy (Kraus) Baker of the home; one son, Rick Baker and wife Kellie of Leeton, Missouri; four daughters, Linda Ilgenfritz and husband Tom of Leeton, Missouri, Debra Bradley and husband Gary of Sarasota, Florida, Teresa Rathbun and husband Thad of Zachary, Louisiana and Susan Baker of Pinellas Park, Florida; one brother, Walter Baker of Independence, Missouri; five grandchildren, Danny Ilgenfritz, Taylor Burford, Dana Browder, Justin Baker and Jessica Law; three great grandchildren, Abbey and Madlynn Browder and Emmaleigh Ilgenfritz.

Cremation has been accorded and no services are scheduled.

16 Messages

  • Darlene Kraus-Rudolph Posted January 29, 2018 3:14 pm

    Heartfelt condolences to Aunt Dorothy, Linda, Rick, Deb, Teresa, & Susan. Sending lots of hugs! Love, Darlene & Dave 💜💜💜

    • Linda Ilgenfritz Posted February 1, 2018 11:33 am

      Thank you so much Darlene!

    • Rick Baker Posted February 7, 2018 4:42 pm

      Thankyou very much Darlene and Dave. Love you

    • Teresa Rathbun Posted February 8, 2018 1:46 pm

      Thank you, love you all.

  • Cheryl J Skinner, WV Patriot Guard Posted January 30, 2018 6:46 am

    May the love of God surround you and your family during this difficult time,
    May you come to know that the love of God is with you always,

    May your memories of John R. Baker, give you peace, comfort and strength…

    Rest now in the arms of our Lord your mission on earth is complete.
    I thank you for your service to our Country and my Freedom. You will not be forgotten..
    My thoughts
    and prayers to the family of ….

    US National Guard/ Navy Veteran, John R. Baker, is “A True American Hero” God Bless†

    † Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13 †

    • Teresa Rathbun Posted February 8, 2018 1:48 pm

      Thank you Cheryl

  • Jeanette Kraus Posted January 30, 2018 10:48 am

    Dorothy & family, sympathy to your family. Jeanette ( Janet )

    • Rick Baker Posted February 7, 2018 4:43 pm

      Thankyou Aunt Jeanette, Love you

  • Jeanette Kraus Posted January 30, 2018 10:50 am

    Dorothy & family,
    Sympathy to your family. Very sorry for your loss. Love, Jeanette ( Janet )

  • Frank O. Kraus Posted January 30, 2018 11:33 am

    Very sorry for the loss on my brother in-law.
    Love to your family. Frank.

    • Rick Baker Posted February 7, 2018 4:43 pm

      Thankyou Uncle Frank, Love you

  • Rick Baker Posted February 7, 2018 4:49 pm

    This is my Dad, I got to know him really well in his final years while they were living in Independence. We took him fishing at his favorite Place, Roaring River State Park, Dad knew all the roads without a map anywhere he wanted to go. I took him and Mom by myself years ago and enjoyed fishing with them down there, we caught several trout and fryed them right there in the cabin. Very Fond memories of you Dad. I will miss you Dad. I know you tryed so valiently to care for mom in your last days here on earth, I commend you for your valient efforts and I know you Loved her dearly.Im sure she knew also.. Thankyou Dad for teaching me how to work on cars at such an early age.,and the many things I learned from you. I love you Dad and am Glad your with the Lord now. Say Hi to my brother Ken and all my grandparents for me. Im sure we all will be together in the promise land some day. Bye for now Dad and until we meet again.,I will miss you all my days. Love your son , Rick

    • Teresa Rathbun Posted February 8, 2018 1:49 pm

      • Rick Baker Posted February 16, 2018 7:24 am

        I remembered this too about the Christmas Tree and how special Christmas was in our old farmhouse

  • Teresa Rathbun Posted February 8, 2018 2:28 pm

    Dad, I miss you already. I asked to receive a sign from you and I saw you in my dreams. I don’t remember anything about it except for a white robe and outstretched arms to receive you. I thank the Lord for the reassurance. I know you are in paradise and we will meet again. Thank you for everything you did for mom, for your family and doing your part to serve the Lord. I will remember the good I knew in you and the special things you did for me as I grew up. A few things that come to mind are when you brought me to work with you at the garage when I was around 6 or 7 years old. I had a Dr. appointment or something like that, so you took me from work since mom didn’t drive. But you made sure I was warm and comfortable, because it was a chilly day. You pulled up a stool so I could stay close to you, since I was so shy around the others there. Another memory that means a lot to me is when you took me in search of a live Christmas tree on the farm. We walked in the woods behind the house until I found the one I wanted. You sawed it down , I “helped” to drag it home and we all decorated it later , after you madethe stand for the bottom. You always made sure we had magical Christmases . Maybe that’s why I love Christmas so much and have tried to do the same for my kids. Later, in my young adult years, I remember you came to my rescue when I had a flat tire after work, and you drove to my workplace and got down on your back and fixed it in the parking lot. It’s the little things like these that others didn’t get to see. You were tough, but you had a golden heart. I hope you are getting the reward you deserve. We are all sinners, but God is good and he knows what we are made of. I love you and look forward to seeing you again!

  • Artina Posted March 5, 2018 1:17 pm

    Dear Family, though your hearts are heavy with pain right now, know that your heavenly Father did not leave you without hope. Revelation 21:4; Hosea 13:14. My sincere condolences for the loss of your dear loved one.

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