James A. Baker

SALEM - Jim was born in Kansas and moved to Oregon with his family when he was 14 years old. After graduating from Salem High School, he moved to Seattle and worked at Boeing on B-17s. There, he met and married the love of his life, Ida Belle Tucker just before his deployment in WWII. Jim served as an expert rifleman in the 10th Mtn. Division in Italy where he was wounded. He received the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.

He became a Christian during the war, and was baptized into Christ in May 1947 at Perrydale Christian Church. He was confirmed in the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod on June 10, 1962 at Peace Lutheran in Salem. Jim and Ida were married 60 years until she died in 2005. He began work at Salem Auto Parts, now Carquest, in 1964 as a sales and parts man, where he finally retired after 48 years at age 90. Jim enjoyed serving at Redeemer Lutheran Church, and sharing his stories of military service with schoolchildren.

He is survived by his daughters, Gwendolyn Grohn (Bruce) and Virginia Mohr (Ron), five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Committal will take place at 10:30, June 8, at Restlawn Memory Garden, Oak Grove Rd. NW, Salem. Memorial services will be at 1:00, June 8, at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Lancaster Dr., Salem. Donations may be given to Redeemer Lutheran Church Pre-school or Willamette Valley Hospice.