J.C. was a life-long Tulsan born in 1924 to Tulsa grocer John Chester Baker Sr. & Clarice Olga Mason Baker. He spent his childhood & early adult years helping at the family-owned Baker's Market & Feed located at the SW corner of E 11th & Sheridan on Route 66 from 1929 to 1962. He graduated from Will Rogers H.S. in 1942 and went to Oklahoma Agricultural & Mechanical College (O.S.U). In 1943, J.C. enlisted in the Army serving with Battery A, 395th Armored Field Artillery Battalion, 16th Armored Division first at Fort Knox, Kentucky then Camp Chaffee, Arkansas. In January 1945 he was ordered to the European Theater of Operations in France and Germany. At war's end, he continued to serve in England and studied business at Shrivenham American University in England. Returning home in 1946, he completed his Bachelor's Degree in Business at Oklahoma A & M and was a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity. He later started working on a Master's Degree in Business at the University of Tulsa. In 1948, he married Miss Donna Marie Sumner and would enjoy 69 years of marriage. J.C. started a career in real estate in 1965 and received Realtor Emeritus from The Greater Tulsa Association of Realtors after 40 years in the business. He was a member and president of Associated Grocers, member of International Fellowship of Christian Businessmen, president of East Tulsa Chamber of Commerce and a 32nd Degree Mason.
Upon retirement he continued traveling the world with his wife, spent time with family, listened to country music in Branson, served as a Gideon, faithfully supported the ministry of University United Methodist Church for over 60 years - and captured it all on film.
J.C. is preceded in death by parents Chester and Olga Mason, sister Olga Christine Baker Robbins and son Kyle Mason Baker.
J.C. is survived by his wife Donna Marie Sumner Baker; son John C. Baker III; 3 grandchildren Christopher Scott Baker, Laura Baker Neff, Rebecca Baker Colbaugh; 5 great grandchildren; and 1 great-great-grandchild.
Family will receive friends from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Thursday, Nov. 16 and Funeral Service will be 1:30 pm, Friday, Nov. 17 both at Moore's Eastlawn Chapel. Interment with military rites to follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. Services entrusted to Moore's Eastlawn 918-622-1155 www.moorefuneral.com