Obituary for James Baker

James Blowers Baker, 89, passed away at Friendship Village of Columbus on July 7 2016. He had lived in the Westerville area most of his adult life. He was born near Bucyrus, Ohio on May 23, 1927 to William Carl Baker and Alta Daisy Baker. He graduated from Tiro (Ohio) High School in 1945 and like most of his classmates, was called to serve in the Army of the United States, 1945-1947. He enrolled in Otterbein College and graduated in 1951. On June 17, 1951 he married Margaret Elaine Miller. They had three loving children who survive him: Robert (Karen) Baker, Beavercreek, OH; Christine (Woody) Searles, Cody, WY; Mary Elizabeth (Douglas) Harms, Greencastle, IN. He was employed at Battelle Memorial Institute for 22 years and worked for the J.C. Penny Company for 18 years. This necessitated a move to Texas for 2 years. Jim was a boy Scout leader of Troop 39 for about 10 years. He was a faithful member of Church of the Master United Methodist, always helping where he could. He belonged to and helped the Westerville Historical Society, Hanby House, and NNEMAP food panty. Jim and Margaret loved traveling and were fortunate to be able to visit most of the states and 19 foreign counties. He liked to read, do genealogy research, and use his computer skills to help people. Leaving to mourn his passing are his wife, children, sister Shirley Baker, sister-in-law Alice Baker, brother-in-law and sister -in-law Ronald and Joan Miller, and 9 grandchildren: Laurel Hepburn, Amy Collier, Rebecca Harms, Gretchen Pritchard, Kelly Ocheltree, Joel Searles, Alisha Schwab, Isaac Harms, and Abigail Harms, 3 great grandchildren and one soon to be born. He was always very proud of both his children’s and grandchildren’s educational and career achievements. Visiting hours will be Sunday, July 10, 2 to 4 PM at HILL FUNERAL HOME, 220 S. State St., Westerville, OH. The funeral will be Monday, July 11 at 11AM at Church of the Master, 24 N. Grove St., Westerville with Pastor Anna Guillozet and Pastor Char Schultz officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be donated to Church of the Master, NNEMAP or Heifer Project.