James Baker

1932 - 2025

James Baker

February 1, 1932 - October 14, 2025

James Ormand Baker passed peacefully on October 14, 2025, at the University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore, MD. Jim was born in Caroline County, MD, on February 1, 1932, the son of James Henry Baker Jr and Mary Ellen Cheezum. He graduated from Caroline County High School in 1949 and was known as Ormand to his childhood family and friends.

He joined the MD National Guard in 1950, entering the US Army in 1952 as an infantryman. He served a combat tour in the Korean War, earning a Purple Heart. He had a second tour in Korea after the armistice. He married Naomi Carolyn Jackson in 1954, and they had four children. He served two combat tours in Vietnam and awarded a Bronze Star for valor and an Air Medal. Jim retired from the US Army in 1972 in Hampton, VA. He was a National Park Service Ranger (and became a certified EMT), and later a Safety Engineer. He earned both a Bachelor's degree and a Master's degree.

Jim and Carolyn loved to travel (especially in their motorhome), and they visited all 50 states, with several cross-country trips. They opened a Rock and Gem shop that specialized in handmade custom jewelry, including faceted stones, and searched for rock specimens during their many travels. Following Carolyn's death in 2004 (after nearly fifty years of marriage), he returned to Caroline County, living in his childhood home. He married Janet Melfa in 2011. They also enjoyed traveling, and as artisans, they ran the 4th Street Gallery in Denton.

Jim attended Ames Methodist Church. He loved to go crabbing and stayed active up until his passing, including tending an enormous garden and cutting and splitting his own firewood. He was active in Caroline County politics and was elected to the Republican Central Committee in 2022 at the age of 90. He was a life member of the VFW and a member of American Legion Caroline Post 29 and frequently participated in many Legion activities, especially karaoke or playing bar bingo while having a Coke. In June 2025, he was awarded the "Ambassador for Peace Medal" by the Korean Consul General of the Korean Embassy. Jim was an expert in the flora & fauna and the history & people of Caroline County. Jim was always ready to provide a helping hand to various local activities and felt like he never met a stranger. He was a devoted and loving husband, father, pawpaw, family member, and friend to many.

Jim was preceded in death by his wives; his sister, Katherine Vair; and a grandchild. He is survived by his four children, David Baker (wife Catherine) of Denton, Leslie Baker (wife Lisa A. Franklin) of Charles City, VA, Mary Baker of Newport News, VA, and Vicki Rowe (husband Pat) of Hampton, VA. Also surviving are 12 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

A celebration of life will be at Moore Funeral Home at 11 a.m. on October 23, 2025, with visitation starting at 10 a.m. A fellowship and sharing of stories and memories will be held at American Legion Post 29 after the service. Burial will be private at Arlington National Cemetery at a date to be determined.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Wesley ME Church Preservation Group, 10750 Garland Road, Denton, MD, a 501(c)(3) non-profit caring for the church and cemetery near Burrsville, MD.

To offer online condolences, please visit moorefuneralhomepa.com.