John E. Baker was born March 8, 1951 to Rex and Norma (Hinds) Baker in Kansas City, Missouri. He graduated from Harrisonville High School with the Class of 1969, and was a lifelong Harrisonville resident. John served in the United States Marines during the Vietnam War, and earned the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and Combat Action Ribbon for his service to his country.
After he left the military, John returned to Harrisonville and started working as a glazer at the family business, Harrisonville Glass. He eventually bought the family business and owned and operated the company until he sold the business to Santa Fe Glass. John was a member of the Cass County Elks Lodge, American Legion, and a 50-year member of VFW Post #4407 in Harrisonville.
John is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Dixie Baker; and sister, Cassie Hamilton. He is survived by his children: John David Goss; Mound City, KS; Rachel Stockwell (Ron) Overland Park, KS; and John Edward Baker (Sarah) Harrisonville, his sister, Pam “P.J.” Baker, Overland Park, KS; his brother, Rex Baker (Patti) Archie, MO; and his grandchildren: Blake Stockwell, Tyler Stockwell, Payton Baker, Elijah Baker, and Kooper Baker.
