James W. Baker

James W. Baker, age 102, of West Alexandria, OH passed away on Wednesday, December 6, 2023 at the Greenbriar Nursing Center in Eaton, OH.  He was born December 9, 1920 in Dayton, OH to the late Fred and Margaret (Upton) Baker.  He had seven siblings which consisted of five brothers and two sisters. James lived in the city of Dayton, OH from his birth for several years until moving to a family farm in Montgomery County, OH in the 1930’s. James enlisted into the US Army in 1942 during World War II and served for four years until the war ended in 1945.  After finishing his military service in 1945 James returned to the Dayton, OH area where he worked part time in the tool and dye industry and part time farming. 

Following his marriage to Nancy P. Baker in March 1946 James relocated to West Alexandria, OH in 1948. James worked as a chemical lab technician for the Dayton Chemical Co., which later became a branch of the Dow Chemical Co, for over 35 years until his retirement in 1983.

Following his retirement James continued to reside in West Alexandria in the house which he had built for his family in 1954 until January of 2020. While living in West Alexandria James enjoyed gardening, woodworking and making furniture. 

James was ordained as a minister to the gospel in March 1969 as a member of the Primitive Baptist Church where he served as a fulltime pastor of several churches within that organization until 2003. 

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Nancy Baker who passed away in 2014; grandson Brian Baker; granddaughter Caitlin Baker; and six brothers and two sisters.  He is survived by his daughter Peggy (Gene) Baker of Camden, OH; son Chris (Sarah) Baker of Alexandria, OH; 2 grandchildren, Jennifer (Tim) Drake and David Baker; 4 great grandchildren; 1 great great grandson; and numerous nieces and nephews. 

Visitation will be held on Saturday, December 9, 2023 from 10:00 am until time of funeral service at 11:00 am at the Gard Funeral Home (formerly Lindloff-Zimmerman), 67 W. Dayton St., West Alexandria, OH.  Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery in West Alexandria, OH.  Memorial contributions may be sent to the local American Red Cross Miami Valley Chapter, 370 West.  Online condolences and other remembrances may be sent to the family by visiting www.gardfuneralhome.com.