76 Year Resident of Santa Cruz

James R. (Jim) Baker died March 27, 2025 at home in Santa Cruz, He was 96 years old. Jim was born in Burlington, Iowa on January 17, 1929 to Russell E. and Helen B. (Dehn) Baker. The family moved to Galesburg, Illinois in 1930 to accommodate his father's occupation as a railroad train engineer for the Burlington Route railroad. He was educated in local schools and graduated from Galesburg High School in 1946. He attended Valparaiso University, Indiana and completed his college education at San Jose State University earning a BS in business and a MBA with concentration in management, marketing and finance.

Jim vacationed in California in 1949 and decided to make Santa Cruz his permanent home after seeing the ocean, beach, boardwalk and the quaint, friendly little town.

Jim entered the United States Army in January 1951. After basic training at Fort Ord, CA, he served on the Korean Peninsula in 1951-1952 during the Korean War. He received a direct commission to 2nd Lieutenant. After leaving active duty, he joined the US Army Reserve and served a total of 33 years. He graduated from the US Army Command and Staff School and the Army War College. He retired from the military in 1984 as a Colonel.

In his civilian career, Jim was employed at the Santa Cruz Sentinel for over 30 years as a National Advertising Manager, Retail Advertising Manager and Display Advetising Manager.

Jim and Eunice Y. (Maggi) were married May 12, 1956 in San Mateo, CA. and have two children. Jim loved to travel with the family in a pickup camper or travel trailer visiting national parks, state parks, and campgrounds throughout the Western United States and Canada. Later, Jim and Eunice continued to travel extensively to places around the world with Jim's favorite destination being the Hale Koa military hotel at Waikiki in Honolulu, Hawaii.

They vacationed at the Hale Koa at least two times a year with family or anyone who wanted to go with them to Hawaii. Jim was a long time member and chaplain of MOAA Santa Cruz chapter and Santa Cruz branch of Sons in Retirement. He was a member of Elks Lodge 824 in Santa Cruz and many civic and military organizations. Jim was a devoted member of Messiah Lutheran Church and served as president of the church council, treasurer, property manager, finance chairman and elder.

Of all of his accomplishements and adventures, he is most remembered for being a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was dearly loved by his family.

Jim is survived by his wife of 68 years Eunice, son Robert (Terri) Baker, daughter Victoria Baker, grandchildren Christopher and Caitlin Baker, great-grandson Hugo James Claggett, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Russell, niece Julie Leonard, and nephews, Pat and Mike Baker.

A memorial service will be held at Messiah Lutheran Church on April 10, 2025 at 11 a.m. Food and fellowship will follow at the church hall. Rev. Richard Rice will officiate. Jim's ashes will be interred at the California Central Coast Veterans Cemetery in Seaside, CA, with military honors at a later date. Memorials may be made to Messiah Lutherean Church 801 High Street Santa Cruz, CA. 95060