John Pink Baker Jr.

John Pink Baker Jr, Born July 18, 1943 took his last breath in the early morning hours of December 26, 2020 at home with his loved ones by his side. Over the past 10 years Johnny survived prostate cancer and stage 4 lymphoma. He faced those maladies without ever uttering a complaint. Through it all it was his strong heart that kept him going. The ravages of those diseases took their toll and left him wobbly and unsteady. It was a bad fall that caused a brain bleed which finally took him from his family and loved ones.

Johnny's warm smile and strong heart first attracted the love of his life, Judy Grindinger when they began dating at 16. They were married on June 20,1964 and have been together ever since. In their beautiful love story Johnny and Judy became one beating heart of the Baker family. Family meant everything to him. While he could be ornery and rigid we all knew that it was his heart of gold that created a bond between all of us that will never be broken.

It didn’t take a stranger long to notice the heart of the man. His friends and loved ones consistently described him as loyal, dedicated, respectful and genuine. You just rarely, if ever, heard anyone have a bad thing to say about Johnny. We are in awe of how much he was respected and admired in life and business. Johnny enjoyed a good conversation over a meal with friends and could talk and laugh till the wee hours of the morning. He looked forward to his monthly poker group of 35 years, lunch with his Rockhurst College friends and dinners with the ‘Jolly Boys’. Most of all he loved a night with his wife after phoning all the kids to make sure they were safe and sound, his Jack Daniels on the rocks and watching their favorite shows together. He lived his life on his own terms and shared that wonderful trait with his family.

Johnny attended Rockhurst High School and Rockhurst College. He worked full-time through college at WDAF-TV. After graduating he sold insurance through Equitable before joining Witcher and Associates Advertising as an Account Executive. Their biggest account, Smaks Hamburgers was where John first began making his mark and getting noticed in the advertising world. He later would join Smaks as Vice President and helped to create a highly successful organization. After Smaks sold, John formed his own Advertising Agency, Modern Media in 1976. He’s known as a true pioneer and legend in the industry and has garnered respect and admiration from his peers and countless others over 40 successful years.

John is preceded in death by his parents, John Pink Baker, Sr and Catherine Baker along with his brother Larry. He leaves behind brothers Bobby and Stevie, sister Linda and nieces and nephews and cousin Jimmy. He leaves behind his wife Judy and the happiest part of their lives – children: Jack (children Lauren and Jackson), Julie, Jill and Jimmy (wife Lesli and children Taylor, Ashley and Carter.)

Johnny's heart will continue to power his family and loved one’s as we strive to carry on his legacy of honesty, fairness, love and compassion.

John’s Visitation will begin at 11:30am Wednesday, December 30, followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 12:30 pm at Curé of Ars Catholic Church, 9401 Mission Road, Leawood, KS 66206. The Mass will be livestreamed. Burial will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, we would be grateful for contributions to Cure of Ars Catholic Church.