On Tuesday, May 3, 2022, James Paul Baker burst through the gates of Heaven and leapt into Jesus’ arms. James was a man full of life and truly had a servant’s heart.
Celebration of Life Funeral Service will be Saturday, May 7, at 10:30 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Dimmitt, Texas with the Rev. T.C. Broom officiating. Burial to follow at Castro Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Arrangements and services have been entrusted to Colonial Funeral Home of Dimmitt. There is no scheduled visitation.
James was born in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida on Feb. 10, 1947, to Kathryn Jean and Thomas Baker. While growing up, he worked diligently and earned his rank as Eagle Scout. He enjoyed being outside, camping, and fishing. After graduating from Brandon High School, he went on to join the U.S. Navy and served on the USS Holland from 1965-1969. During this time, he also served in Spain as a Scout Leader.
James eventually made his way to the great state of Texas where he began a career with Reliance as a service engineer. He served as a mentor and BSA Assistant Scout Master for the Boy Scouts in Dallas.
On a hot summer afternoon in Dallas of 1970, James saw a beautiful young woman in a green bikini sitting poolside of his apartment complex, and immediately fell head-over-heals. It was at that moment that a beautiful love story began. James and Sandra Bruegel were married in Dimmitt on March 6, 1971. They had two fabulous daughters, Jamie and Tori.
James was an adventurous fellow and decided to move to Friona- and eventually to Dimmitt- to try his hand at farming. It was through that leap of faith that he discovered his love for all agriculture. He went on to become the superintendent of Bruegel and Sons Elevator. During this time, he was a pilot for the Civil Air Patrol, served as president of GEAPS (Grain Elevator and Processing Society), president of the Easter Lions Club, president of the Dimmitt Lions Club, served all posts of the Masonic Lodge in Dimmitt, and helped with the DATA club at Dimmitt High School. James took another leap of faith and started Baker Electric. It was through this adventure that he became a man with “Super Power”…ELECTRICAL POWER!!
James had a passion and talent of woodworking. He built many gifts for his children, grandchildren, wife, nieces and nephews. James loved participating in the Follies, taught Sunday School, sang in the Methodist choir, and was a devoted member of the Methodist Men’s Quartet. In 2021, he and Sandra were honored to receive the “Citizen Through the Years” award from the Dimmitt Chamber of Commerce.
James’ greatest treasures were his faith and his family. He was “Papaw”…which he didn’t take that role lightly. He was intentional about spending time with each of his children and grandchildren, both individually and collectively. He would let them choose the adventure of the day and would go to the ends of the earth to fulfill them. Long evening walks where solicited advice and deep conversation without question or judgement were regular occurrences with his children and grandchildren.
James is preceded in death by his parents, Kathryn Jean Eastman and Thomas J Baker; and his stepmother, Alberta Baker.
He is survived by his beautiful bride of 51 years, Sandra; his two daughters, Jamie Mendoza (Frank) of Earth, and Tori Clayton (Matt) of Springlake; his grandchildren, Reagan Mendoza of Colorado Springs, Brenna Mendoza of Lubbock, and Kathryn and Cooper Clayton of Springlake; brother, Scott Baker (Pam) of The Woodlands; sister, Barbara Baker of Birmingham, Alabama; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to: Volley for Veterans, 8762 Paintbrush Drive, Amarillo, Texas 79119, Hereford Masonic Home, PO Box 224, Hereford, Texas 79045, Methodist Memorial Fund, 110 SW 3rd St., Dimmitt, Texas 79027, or any favorite charity.