James "Jim" Edward Baker

James “Jim” Edward Baker of Alexander, Arkansas crossed his final finish line on August 31, 2023, at the age of 87. He was surrounded by loved ones as he raced into the arms of Jesus and culminated a life well-lived. Jim approached the checkered flag with grace, unfettered strength, and remarkable tenacity for life. While his absence has left an immense void, Jim also left us with immeasurable love and countless memories. He will be remembered and honored as a loving husband, father, Papa, uncle, and friend to many, who was an animal lover with a soft spot for kitties. We will greatly miss his humor, quips, storytelling, and gregarious spirit.

Jim was born on June 13, 1936, in Chicago, Illinois after which he was chosen in love by the late Thomas and Mary Baker and raised in Little Rock, Arkansas. Stories of his childhood always included how, as a young boy, he would run to watch the firetrucks pass by, his father taking him to every show and event that came to the area-including season tickets to watch the Razorbacks play at War Memorial, and endless laugh out loud recountings of mischief with friends- like the time they put a potato in the muffler of the school bus, or when he was caught smoking behind the church. He often reminisced on the 1950s and his love for the era. He attended Central High and completed his education in 1954 at Columbus Military Academy in Tennessee.

Jim went on to enlist in the United States Air Force where he served four years as an aircraft mechanic in the Strategic Air Command at Goose Bay and Forbes Air Bases. He had quite the adventure in the extreme cold of Labrador while at Goose Bay, and one of his favorite stories to tell involved being dismissed from kitchen duty after confusing the powdered eggs for potatoes! Jim was quite a historian and had a deep appreciation and love for the military and his country. He was incredibly proud when his youngest son followed in his footsteps years later to also serve his country as an airman.

He worked various jobs after an honorable discharge from the Air Force before finding his niche in being a business owner. Jim owned and operated two successful businesses in Saline County: Sanco and Baker’s Marine Service.

There were three great loves in Jim’s life (if we aren’t counting sweets!): family, dirt track racing and the Arkansas Razorbacks. He was a force to be reckoned with on dirt and was a fan favorite with many wins in a career that spanned 30 years. Often referred to as “Gentleman Jim Baker”, he piloted the sprint car known as K9. Stories from his racing days were always filled with highlights of wins, losses, hard crashes, learning and earning his way and the formation of his racing family. One of the things Jim said as he refused to back down from the battle with his sudden illness was, “I’m up on the cushion going hard as I can go”. He lived his life to the fullest, relishing every moment for all it was worth, until the very end.

On any given day from August to June, you could find Jim eating popcorn and watching Arkansas Razorback sports. He was an avid, life-long fan of the Razorbacks and followed all sports, often posting quite the commentary with his thoughts and opinions on social media. He was known to host some of the best tailgates and football parties over the years. If an event was planned on game day, the game better be on, or he wasn’t coming!

Most of all, Jim loved his family. He dedicated time when his children were young to coaching their teams, cheering from the stands, and chauffeuring to practices and games. As they grew to adults, he continued cheering and supporting them in their dreams- from attending band practices and events, to proudly creating yard displays in support of his son who was deployed after 9/11 and lending his expertise to various projects. He adored the love of his life for more than 51 years. Together they created a family that will continue the legacy of Gentleman Jim Baker for generations to come.

In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by his son David (Cindi) Baker of Sabetha, KS. He leaves behind to cherish his memory: his loving wife, Angela Smart Baker; daughters, Denise Baker of Sabetha, KS, Kimberly (Rus) Baker of Benton, AR and Karmen (Robert) Beck of Hot Springs, AR; sons, Tommy Baker of Little Rock, AR and Jaysen (Amber) Baker of Sheridan, AR; grandchildren, Anderson, Brady, Emily, Alise, Alex, Kayla, Jase, Aaron, Austin, Drew, Christian, Savannah, Taylor, Laela, Ellie, Bo and McKenzie; great grandchildren, Cole, Parker, Abby, Lilly, Annie, Jemma, Jolene, Harlan, Vala, Kahlia, Makario, Brooklyn, Julian, Braxton, Adrian, Raelynn, and Maverick, as well as a host of nieces, nephews and many other loved ones.

Funeral service will be at 2:00 P.M. on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, at Pinecrest Funeral Home and Memorial Park in Alexander, Arkansas with Brother Danny Harris with Chaplains of America officiating. Interment to follow. Visitation will begin at 1:00 P.M. until service time.

Jim would want everyone to be comfortable and relaxed, without a lot of fuss. In that spirit, the family requests everyone wear Razorback or racing shirts.

Pallbearers are Taylor Adams, Brady Baker, Kasey Smart, Jase Hanig, Aaron Hanig, Austin Hanig, Drew Knowles, and Christian Beck.

Honorary Pallbearers are Tony Floyd, John Suggs, Tim Greer, Robert Jones, Walker Thomas and Anderson Montgomery.

The Baker family would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Arkansas Heart Hospital-Encore Medical Center who provided excellent care with grace and dignity to Jim in the final laps of his Earthly race. Their healing ministry to Jim and the family during the most difficult of days made an impossible situation bearable.