James Lester Baker Sr.

JAMES LESTER BAKER, SR. James Lester Baker, Sr., age 82, passed away on November 11,
2013 in Fort Pierce, Florida. Jim was born in Geneva, NY, he was pre deceased by his parents Lester A & Katherine G Baker (nee Daly) of Sewall's Point, FL, and step son, Craig Lionel of Las Vegas, NV. He leaves his devoted wife of 39 years, Marcia Baker of Fort Pierce, brother, Jon Baker (Pat) of Boston, Mass. Adopted sons, Kevin Baker (Barbara) of Bangor, ME and Brian Penick (Ana), granddaughter, Tara of Boynton Beach, FL. Step-son, Steven Lionel (Leslie) of Nashua, NH and grandson, Thomas Lionel of Pompano Beach. He also leaves from his first marriage, sons, Brian Baker of Oak Harbor, Wash, Glenn Baker, Paul Mark Baker, and James Baker Jr., daughters, Mimi Alford, Audrey Faulkner and Kathy Heller of Livermore, Cal, 16 grandchildren, and 7 great grandchildren. Jim attended Albany Boys Academy in NY and graduated Sequoya High School (CA) class of 1949. He was a graduate of the Defense Language Institute in 1951 and served in the Air Force as a translator with the 8th Radio Squadron USAF during the Korean War receiving the following medals and citations: Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, and ROK Presidential Unit Citation. He attended Columbia University and UCLA. Jim was in automobile and real estate sales in California, where he was active in the Republican Party. He was one of the founders of the Young Republicans for Reagan, and was a founder of the Kiwanis Club of Dublin, CA. He moved to Bangor, Maine in 1973, where he married Marcia and joined her in Holiday Land Real Estate, and later in insurance sales. He opened and operated Crown Auto Sales in Glenburn in 1986. While in Maine, he was active in the Democratic Party and was a delegate to State Conventions. Jim was a ranked chess player and was in the Greater Bangor Chess Assoc. When he and Marcia moved to Fort Pierce in 1989 to be near his parents, he was active in the Democratic Party and the first campaign of Congressman Alcee Hastings. Jim was an animal lover and his beloved dog Rosebud was always with him until her death in January 2013. He was appreciated by his friends and neighbors on South Beach and will be sorely missed for his acerbic wit, keen mind and unique personality. Donations may be made to the Humane Society of St Lucie County and Bangor, ME. Private family inurnment services will be at the Veterans Cemetery at a later date. Arrangements are by Haisley Funeral Home. An online guest book may be signed at www.haisleyfuneralhome.com