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Submitted: 10/2/16 • Approved: 9/16/21 • Last Updated: 9/19/21 • R1156199-G0-S3
US Navy
September 23, 1930 - September 22, 2016
*Obituary
The Baxter Bulletin
September 26, 2016
John Wesley "Biff" Baker, 85, son of Walter and Veda Baker (nee Cole) passed away on Thursday, September 22, at Hospice of the Ozarks, Hospice House, in Mountain Home. The 8th of 10 children, he was born on September 23, 1930, in Earle, AR and was the last surviving family member.
He was an alumnus of Earle High School and in 1948, at 18 years of age, he left Earle to enlist in the United States Navy. While stationed in San Diego, CA, he met Lennah Jane Hampton and on May 20, 1955 they were married in Yuma, AZ. In 1960 he volunteered for the submarine service where he proudly served on the USS Raton until it was decommissioned in 1967. He finished his career as an instructor and retired from the Navy in 1969. Over the duration of their marriage, they lived in the Philippines, Brownsville, TX, and San Diego, CA (for 28 years), retiring in Mountain Home in 1985. Jane passed away in 2003.
Survivors include sons John Jr. (LuAnne) of San Diego, CA and Brent of Mountain Home, AR, two grandchildren Danielle Williams (Dan) of Highlands Ranch, CO and Christian Baker (Nicole) of San Francisco, CA, a step-grandson Erik Kuhl, of Vista, CA and two great grandchildren Anthony and Addison Williams, as well as numerous nephews and nieces.
A Funeral Service for John will be 11:00 am, Thursday, September 29, 2016, at Kirby & Family Funeral Home Chapel. Visitation will be Wednesday, September 28, 2016, from 5:00 until 7:00 pm, at the funeral home.
Entombment will be in the Kirby's Tucker Memorial Mausoleum, Mountain Home, AR, with Brent, John, and Christian Baker, Erik Kuhl, Ken Grayham, and Donald Gray as pallbearers.
Military Honors will be provided by the Alley-White American Legion Post #52 and the United States Navy Honor Guard.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Hospice of the Ozarks.
Arrangements are by Kirby and Family Funeral and Cremation Services. Visit an online obituary and guestbook at www.kirbyandfamily.com.
Photo courtesy of Annette Shaw
Contributed on 10/2/16 by mjones4359
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Record #: 1156199