John J. Baker III's Obituary
John Joseph Baker III, 67, of Memphis, passed away Tuesday, February 1 with his wife, Sandra Kathryn Webb Baker, at his side. They were married 40 years. He is survived by his sons, John Joseph Baker IV and wife Kathryn of Fayetteville, AR and Patrick Hugh Baker and wife Aimee of Franklin, TN as well as his grandchildren Lillian Nell , Ainsley Day, Ethan Anderson and Madeline Evelyn; sisters, Mary Ann Wharton of Asheville, NC, Barbara Mertus of Chatsworth, CA, Marti Ash of Memphis, TN and brother Michael Baker of Bakersfield, CA.; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins scattered across the world. John was the eldest son of Joe and Gertrude Baker, born April 6, 1943 in Memphis, TN. After graduation from Memphis Catholic High School he attended Louisiana State University. He was a retired salesman, and had been variously a businessman, entrepreneur and politician. He was a parishioner of Grace-St. Luke’s Episcopal Church where, over the years, he taught Sunday school and coached soccer. He was active in Central Gardens Neighborhood Association and was involved in the early days of the Central Gardens Home Tour. He was one of the few fathers active in the PTO at his sons’ schools. John had a profound influence on nearly a generation of Memphis’ youth. Visitation will be at 1pm Saturday, February 5, 2011 at Grace-St. Luke’s Church with services to follow at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Grace-St. Luke’s Church at 1720 Peabody Ave. Memphis, TN 38104 or to Associated Catholic Charities at 1325 Jefferson Ave. Memphis, TN 38104.
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