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John H. Baker

John Baker Obituary

John H. Baker, 55, of Lake Delton, WI, and Ft. Lauderdale, FL, passed away peacefully in the presence of family and friends in a Ft. Lauderdale hospital on Wednesday, February 28, 2018. An entrepreneur from the age of 10, when he was a fishing guide in Lake Delton, WI, John started and ran several successful businesses, starting with Raker's Tacos and Subs , which opened ten days before John's 21st birthday. Shortly thereafter, and not necessarily in order, came Jumpin Jack's restaurant, Jack's Pizza, a golf cart sales and repair shop, becoming a founding partner in a local Ft. Lauderdale bank, and culminating in, a Ft. Lauderdale staple, the Historic Downtowner. In addition to all this, John was responsible for various and profitable community involvements, including a Ft. Lauderdale blues festival, a jazz festival in the same town, and various community fundraisers. He also served on the Marine Advisory Board. Through all this, John still made plenty of time for fun and family, from taking family fishing trips to Bimini, the Bahamas, to making all the other camps jealous of the food he served when taking his daughter Chloe "Honey Bunny" to the Indian Princess campouts , to generally being the light and the fun in any room or place he happened to occupy. John spent the lion's share of his life working hard, playing hard, and laughing harder yet. His unique laugh and prankish sense of humor drew others to him in a singular way, and those qualities were only surpassed by his unending generosity and his big heart. John was preceded in death by his father Barry and his son, John Michael. He is survived by his mother, Jo Baker, daughter Chloe Baker, his sisters Dawn and Kelly Baker, his nieces Jillian Campbell and Kassie Lederman (Mitch), nephew Ryan Groy (Sara), and thousands of friends. A celebration of John's life will be held in the near future. You Betcha!

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Published by Sun-Sentinel from Mar. 7 to Mar. 11, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for John Baker

26 Entries

David Williams

February 27, 2021

Cheers to you my friend. Fondest memories.

Stefanie Hochstadter

March 1, 2019

You were thought about yesterday and always, friend. This town is not the same without you...

Jamie Hart

January 3, 2019

John was a gentle giant.

I was the Supervisor of Marine Facilities with the City of Fort Lauderdale for 25 years before I retired in 2010 and my office is located next to the Downtowner Saloon. I also was the liaison to the City's Marine Advisory Board and John was a member.

Therefore, I saw a lot of John even when he was a teenager. He always used to say he was going to own the Downtoner Saloon (formerly Nathaniel's) because he came in with his parents quite often.

I am very saddened to hear about his loss and the fatal accident to his son which probably took a huge toll on him.

He was a huge family man and was always close to extended members of his family. I can say that he was a very motivated entrepreneurial human being. He was bigger than life as they say. What a loss to everyone he knew!

He loved challenges, but never seemed to let himself get down because he was always so happy. He was quite successful in life.

This makes his sudden death a real shock to me as I just found out. I wish I could have spoken to him during whatever was going on with him until the end. I will miss him.

I am sure he is in heaven and with his son whom I know he cherished when he was a toddler.

God bless him and his family!

Miss you big fella

Coleen Michelle

August 26, 2018

Geez, I'm sorry this is so late. I just found out. John and I talked pretty much every year close to the Yacht show where we met 3 years ago. He had befriended my son and I on our shuttle there. I told him I was considering Yacht Sales. He was so nice. We talked about a lot. His loss was fresh with his son Johnny. Always extended hand of friendship and kindness towards my son and I. All I can do is hope and pray he is at peace and with his son. Prayers and Blessings to everyone!!!

Gail Murphy

April 7, 2018

So sad to hear of Johns passing. He was always kind to my husband and I, always smiling. Loved seeing him around.

Alice Banker-Carper

March 24, 2018

A great light has dimmed in the hearts of all who knew John. John, your laughter, warm heart and kindness will never be forgotten. May the fondest memories comfort your family and all of your friends in this time of sorrow. Much love ...

dave micklos

March 20, 2018

so sorry to hear about johns passing a truly great guy.

Dave Williams

March 16, 2018

Peace be with you now my friend! Great Father and Great Friend. I'll see you on the other side Bud!!

S Davis

March 12, 2018

To the family, I am sorry to hear the news about your loss. May the God who "binds up the brokenhearted" and "comforts all who mourn" sustain your family during this challenging time. Isaiah 61:1,2

Vernon Pait

March 11, 2018

John you will be miss . God bless your kind soul and your family . My prayers go out to you.

Vernon Pait
Dixie Pig

Tommy Watson

March 11, 2018

John you where a great person/soul. Thank you so much for all you did for the community !! I know God will be lucky a person to have a man like you in his kingdom .. I hope some day to meet up with in heaven. Please know my thoughts and prayers go out to your famliy.God bless your soul.
Tommy Watson PER of the Elks 2407

March 10, 2018

My sincere condolences for the family's loss. We look to a time when you will see your beloved John again....Acts 5:28,29

Wes Masterson

March 9, 2018

Our hearts are broken to lose such a good friend . Rest In Peace

Mike Weymouth

March 8, 2018

Johnny "Cupcake" Baker, my brother, my friend! Thanks for a lifetime of laughs, many of your stories will be told with a big smile on my face. Jo, Chloe, Kelly and Dawn, my thoughts and prayers are with you. Rest in peace Cupcake.

Jim Wendell

March 8, 2018

God bless everyone to help with this difficult time.I knew The Cheddar Head since the Jumping Jack days and John was an absolute pleasure to know. I know he's in a better place and may he finally Rest In Peace.

Daniel Amend

March 8, 2018

You were one of a kind and a great friend. I will miss you and my prayers are with you and your family

March 8, 2018

John's kind and generous heart belongs to eternity. God rest his sweet soul.
Marie and Guy Rock, Fort Lauderdale, FL

Mark, Bobbie, Amanda Beck

March 8, 2018

There will never be another like him. He would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. He will be missed and remembered by anyone who ever met him. Rest well, Johnny B.

Andrew Daley

March 7, 2018

RIP Long John. Thanks for the memories and what you gave to Fort Lauderdale. Your light will continue to shine with everyone you touched including me.

Angela Gill-Dietz

March 7, 2018

Deepest sympathy to the Baker family.

Dimitri Sculptor

March 7, 2018

RIP Big John. My thoughts and prayers to you dearest John, familily, friends and loved ones. My most sincere condolences.

Bob and Kelli Russell

March 7, 2018

Sorry to lose such a light in life he will be missed.

Stefanie Hochstadter

March 7, 2018

Bless you John. Here's to all the good times you gave this town...you will be missed. Bountiful prayers to the family.

Shawn McKamey

March 7, 2018

Went to Stranahan like me but a few years ahead. Got to know him more through the Downtowner and then Saint Anthony parish years later. All the things in the obituary ring true to me; he was fun and laughed a lot and was very nice to folks around him. I was just floored by the news of his passing. Requiescat in pace John. You will be missed.

Donna O'Neill

March 7, 2018

Dear Baker Family,
My deepest sympathy to John's family and friends. John was a happy person, bringing a smile to anyone he met. RIP John

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