Johnnie B. Baker, Sr.
On November 17, 2009 Johnnie B. Baker died from natural causes from battling a long illness after suffering a stroke in January, 2008.
Mr. Baker was 84.
Johnnie Baker was best known for being a loving father and grandfather. “What I love best about being a father is responsibility. I love all my kids and grandchildren!” Mr. Baker is survived by seven children and had a strong role in helping to raise 25 grandchildren. Johnnie possessed a strong sense of putting family first. In addition to raising his own children he opened his home and heart to young relatives and grandchildren. He provided them with support and guidance as he helped steer them towards adulthood.
Johnnie Baker lived a full life. At the age of 18 he enlisted in the Navy and served in World War II and the Korean conflict. When he was honorably discharged he worked as a federal employee at Norton Air Force Base in Riverside, California in the radar division. In 1968 he moved his family to Sacramento, California where he raised his children. Mr. Baker worked at McClellan Air Force Base where he managed horizon radars.
In 1968, after retiring as a Federal employee, Johnnie Baker turned his efforts toward being one of the developers of the Dusty Baker International Baseball Academy. At the Academy Johnnie was known as the “Head Coach” where the student-athletes who attended the camp quickly grew to know him as both a “disciplinarian and protector.” Under the guidance and supervision of Johnnie Baker the camp developed a reputation as one of the best “skills” camps with students traveling to attend from all parts of the United States and as far away as Australia. And even though the kids came for the baseball skills, under the guidance of Mr. Baker they quickly came to understand the importance of academics.
A quote by Johnnie Baker best defines who he was as a person: “An important lesson that I hope they (all people) learn, is to be patient and understanding and think about other people and how they feel. Don’t be too quick to criticize.”
The Baker Family is requesting all donations in the memory of Johnnie B. Baker Sr. be made to:
Centro Cristiano Bilinque Church
3334 Garfield Avenue
Carmichael, CA 95608
