Jimmie Lee Baker's Obituary
Jimmie Lee Baker was born February 20,1934 in Dawson, Oklahoma to loving parents Finis Baker and Jewell Shell Baker and went home to be with the Lord on June 20, 2017. He grew up in Dawson with his little sister, Betty Lou, and joined the Navy in 1953. He was stationed on the USS Lexington Aircraft Carrier and was engaged in the Korean War the last 3 months of his service.In 1955, while home on leave, Jimmie met the love of his life, Zella Ann, on a blind date and married her four days later. Their daughter, Kelly Leann was born in 1959 and it wasn’t long before their days were filled with fishing trips, softball and basketball games. He loved coaching Kelly and watching her play from the time she became interested in sports.He enjoyed taking family trips to Colorado, Missouri and even took Zella halfway around the world to Thailand. He was an avid OU Sooner football fan and drove stock cars in the 1960’s. He enjoyed going quail and pheasant hunting with his dogs, Joe, Brownie and Phoebe, and fishing and camping with his family and relatives on the Oklahoma lakes. Jimmie was a true craftsman when it came to carpentry and woodworking and found pleasure in crafting a treasure for a friend or family member.Jimmie loved his dog Belle, a black schnauzer, given to him as a puppy for Father’s Day from Kelly and Zella. She became his constant companion and you never saw one without the other. He trained her and cared for her and it broke his heart when she passed away.Jimmie worked for McDonnell Douglas as a High Pressure Engineer and retired after 30 years of service. He enjoyed his work and made great friends during his career.After retiring, Jimmie and Zella continued to travel and enjoyed a lot of fun times with his Aunt Marie and Zella’s sister, Erma. The car was filled with laughter and stories of adventures as they traveled the miles to visit friends and family from Oklahoma to Missouri and to Kansas-where Marie’s wig fell off in the McDonald’s restroom-and to Colorado-where they learned how to play the slots!Jimmie and Zella opened their home to family and friends for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. The men would sample desserts and coach their favorite teams on TV, while the women cooked the dinner, watched the kids and told stories.Jimmie was a good man, a good husband and a good father. He was quite a jokester and all the kids knew him as “Uncle Punk.” He was quick to lend a hand and offer help to others and will be missed by everyone who knew and loved him.There will be a Celebration of Life Service, Monday, June 26, 2017 at 10:00 A.M. at Floral Haven Funeral Home Chapel.
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