John Baker

John Baker, age 91, of Grants Pass, died January 26, 2022 at his home.

John was born July 29, 1930 in Medford, Oregon to John William & Grace Baker. He attended schools in Wimer and Rogue River. After graduating from Rogue River High School, he served in the United States Navy as a combat air crewman, flying off the USS Boxer (aircraft carrier) during the Korean War. He was awarded an air medal and several other Korean and UN service medals. After his honorable discharge, his working years included: experimental department at North American Aviation in El Segundo, California and later instructor of F-100 aircraft systems; tech rep on F-100 aircraft with the Royal Danish Air Force for three years; supervisor of Apollo/Saturn quality assurance and scheduling at Kennedy Space Center for 11 years; supervisor of shuttle scheduling at Palmdale, California for 4 ½ years and manager of Quality Engineering at Hanford Nuclear Facility in Washington for 11 years. In 1988 he retired and moved from Benton City, Washington to Grants Pass where he built a home. For 17 years he wintered in Yuma, Arizona.

John was a member of St. Anne Catholic Church; USS Boxer Veterans Association; and two Navy Squadron reunions.

His hobbies included amateur ham radio; antique guns; and travel.

Survivors include three sons John Baker, Ed (Cindy) Baker and Mark Baker; four granddaughters Lori, Katie (Brandt), Christine (Dan), and Amber; grandson John; seven great-grandsons James, Tanner, Dylan, Chace, Parker, Wyatt and Trent; great-step-granddaughter Kristyn; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Matilda Josephine “Tillie” Baker, whom he married September 17, 1955 in Santa Monica, California; his parents; and sisters Peggy Rastall, Pauline Ritchie, and Dorothy Cotton.

A funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m., February 8, 2022 at Hull & Hull Funeral Directors. Private interment will be at Woodville Cemetery.