James Baker

James Edgar Baker (Jim), 89, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 in Frederick, Maryland. He was born to Guy Edgar Baker and Ruth Esther Engler Baker in Frederick. Jim was a lifelong, generational, and career farmer in Frederick County.

As a member of the Linganore United Methodist Church, he sang as a youth in the choir. Graduating in the class of 1953 from Frederick High School where he excelled in both music and sports. As a clarinetist he was an All-State and Tri-State band member. In sports he was part of the 1952 Frederick High undefeated football team and a natural at high jumping. Throughout the years he enjoyed the friendships of his classmates at reunions and other gatherings. As a member of the Frederick Flying Club, he would enjoy flying to Ocean City between milkings. He trained as a computer programmer which he dabbled in all through his life. As a charter member of the Thurmont Conservation and Sportsman's Club he appreciated how much the club had grown, yet remained a quiet refuge between events. He loved the Chesapeake Bay and found joy navigating it via the Loran navigation with his family.

His life's work was his dedication as a dairy and crop farmer. In 1994 he won first place in the no-till, non-irrigated class in the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) National Corn Yield Contest. His commitment to doing everything possible for his down cows was what lead to his involvement in the Cowlifters and EZ-Up throughout the 1980s and 90s. Jim's commitment to helping feed the country as both a dairyman and crop farmer was what made him a "Farm Farmer", not just a farmer. He wished to include a "Thank You" to all those who helped him; those who assisted him by mentoring and those who worked for him and with him and most recently, his caregivers.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Eleanor King Baker; their children, Pamela Doring (Vincent), Vincent Baker (Kimberly) and Janet Land (Stephen); and nine grandchildren, James Dutton, Lauren Doring, Madison, Merideth and Allison Baker, Michael and Christine Murphy and Genevieve and Natalie Land.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Eleanor Engler Baker; and a daughter, Barbara Murphy (John). On both the Baker and Engler sides of his family he was the last remaining member of his generation. He also wished to recognize several close friends, Rod Poole, Tommy Geiser and Richard Grossnickle and including those who predeceased him: Carlos Glisan, Malcolm (Bud) Hoff and Donald Toms.

A graveside service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 7, at Linganore Cemetery.

The family will receive friends 6 - 8 p.m. Friday, June 6 at Hartzler Funeral Home-Libertytown, 11802 Liberty Rd., Frederick.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Frederick Health Hospice, 1 Frederick Health Way, Frederick, MD 21701.

A message or memory may be placed on his "tribute wall" at www.hartzlerfuneralhome.com. James Baker