James M. Baker | August 22, 1938 – February 21, 2026

Age 87 of Wyandotte.

Affectionately known as Jim, he was born in Wyandotte, Michigan, on August 22, 1938, to James and Ursula (Trombly) Baker. Jim was an adventure seeker at heart and spent his life exploring the great outdoors. He met his one true love when they were just teenagers. He proposed marriage to Dolly many times before she said yes. They were married on November 23, 1957, and celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary in 2025.

Jim was an avid hunter, fisherman, and archer. He took great pride in teaching his seven children how to hunt, fish, and shoot a bow and arrow. Jim was an expert archer, competing at the Lincoln Bowman Archery Club. In competition, Jim hit the bullseye 10 times in a row, scoring 300 points. Jim taught many youths to draw a bow and arrow through the Youth Archery Program (YAP) at Lincoln Bowman. His first priority was teaching young people to enjoy the sport and more importantly, to be safe archers. He didn’t hesitate to cut kids from the program who he thought were reckless. Despite losing his hand in 1963, he excelled at life in ways that most people could only dream of including scoring a 300 game as a valued member of a bowling league.

Jim was a steel laborer at McClouth Steel, hired in October, 1958 as a production lab tech, and was forced to retire as the Oxygen Processing Supervisor when the mill closed in 1996. He worked for McClouth for 38 years and gave of himself tirelessly committed to the safety and wellbeing of his coworkers and crew. There he met his best friend and cohort in crime, Neil Komasar (Marge). Dolly and Marge became best friends and the Komasars became an extended family to the Bakers. To this day we have maintained our connection.

Jim’s sense of humor was unparalleled – he was the first to poke playfully at his family and friends and then laughed the hardest when people turned the joke on him. His smile and laugh were infectious! Jim’s greatest joy was traveling with his family. Among the most memorable trips were the Colorado mountains; Alaskan cruise; fall color tours of the eastern seaboard and the state of Michigan; and countless trips to Florida. The number of camping trips around the state of Michigan with his wife and children pulling campers and boats behind the woodpaneled station wagon are too numerous to count. Jim loved his camera long before smartphones were ever heard of and was the photo journalist for his family and friends. Jim cherished everyone, and everyone cherished him in return.

Jim is preceded in death by: his father James Lee Baker; mother Ursula Louella Baker; brothers, Roger Lee Baker; George Spencer Baker; Claude Francis Baker; and sister Betty Lou Baker. His great-granddaughter, Meadow Grace. Jim is survived by his beloved wife, Dolly Catherine (Doute) Baker, married 68 years, his brother Robert Merle Baker and sister, Beverly Mae Baker.

Jim is the loving father of 7 children: James Charles; David Lee (Lisa); Katherine Mary (Grant) [John]; Debra Ann (Makely) [Christopher]; Nancy Ann (Ciotti) [Paul]; Laura Ann (Zajac) [John]; John Spencer (Joanie).

Proud grandfather of 17: Nathaniel Jerome Hardecki (April); Brandi Rose Sanderlin (Mike); Kelly Quartz; Nicole Lynne Bigelow (Michael); Mariah Leeanne Nifong (Ryan); Erik Thomas Hardecki (Kristin); Lauren Catherine Wilder Romans (Greg); Anthony Armando Ciotti; Emma Christine Grant; Shannon Louise Massie (Griffin); Claire Margaret Baker (Nicklas); Brian Robert Ciotti (Sarah); Krystina Margaret Sircy (Reed); Mary Catherine Zajac (Erik); Michael James Zajac (Kalyn); David James Baker; Sarah Elizabeth Baker.

Proud great-grandfather of 21: (Nathaniel) Taylor and Ethan; (Brandi) Mike, Riley, Sophia, Jaxon; (Kelly) Serenity, Steven; (Nicole) Joseph, Dolly; (Mariah) Ryan, Colton ; (Lauren) Maycie, Margo; (Shannon) Henrik; (Brian) Adaline, Andrew; (Mary) Violet, Asher; (Michael) Leland, Meadow.

Jim is survived by literally hundreds of extended family and friends whose lives were profoundly touched by Jim’s sincerity, loyalty, laughter, and love. He will be forever missed.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon him.
May the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen