James Loran Baker Sr.

James "Jim" Loran Baker Sr., age 75, of Sierra Vista, Ariz., died Wednesday, October 3, 2012, at his home. He was born in Sandy Hook, Mo., a son of Leslie and Margie Baker. At 19, he graduated from Jamestown C-1 High School and joined the United States Army as a Military Policeman. He married Miriam Cullison and they had two children, Katherine and James Jr. During his military service he was stationed in Turkey and White Sands, N.M. Jim remarried, Shirley Studley, and had two additional children, Timothy and Vickie. His work experiences were many including working for Boeing Aircraft in St Louis, Mo. which led to him moving to Grand Prairie, Texas, to help build the tail section on the very first 747. He also worked for many years at Wal-Mart which proved to be beneficial because it allowed him to travel throughout the United States, pursuing one of his greatest passions, gold mining. He enjoyed aviation, studying for his private pilotís license before family life took over and he was an ardent fan of Tombstone and anything western. His eyes would sparkle at the mere mention of Wyatt Earp. Survivors include his wife of 30 years, Marlene; a daughter and son-in-law, Katherine and Keith Loague of Ulm, Mont.; a son and daughter-in-law, James Jr. and Debra Baker of Jefferson City; a son and daughter-in-law, Timothy and Michelle Baker of Boonville; a daughter, Vickie Weathers of New Franklin; a sister and brother-in-law, Sylvia and Don Daniels of Holts Summit; a sister and brother-in-law, Alice and Marty Martin of Jefferson City; 10 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; along with other relatives and friends. Jim was preceded in death by his father, Leslie Baker, and his mother, Margie Baker. Cremation will be at the Hatfield Funeral Home, Sierra Vista, Ariz. Memorial contributions are suggested to the American Cancer Society.