Jack E. Baker

In 1949, Arthur Miller wrote the classic American play, Death of a Salesman. Today we honor the death of another salesman, a man who was the antithesis to Willy Loman. John Eugene "Jack" Baker, 87, of Cincinnati, Ohio, died peacefully on November 6, 2017. He lived for one purpose, to provide for his wife and his family, and to offer them a better life than he had.
Jack was born in Chicago, IL on September 12, 1930 to Tom and Lucille (Petrecca) Baker. He worked as an insurance salesman for Country Insurance for more than 50 years and didn't retire until he was over 80 years old. More importantly, he was a family man with seven children, 18 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.
Jack was a quiet man, with simple tastes. If he were to splurge, it meant he just put peanut butter on his pancakes. His beginnings were humble; his parents lost everything in the Great Depression. He worked hard to rise above the trappings of poverty, including serving as a Military Police Officer in the Army, where he stationed at the United States Military Academy at West Point.
He also attended DePaul University in Chicago, where he met his wife of 64 years, Patricia ("Pat") Ann Rannin. They married on April 25, 1953 and this union produced the accomplishment that Jack was most proud of and where his legacy continues today -- his family. He is survived by his wife Pat; and his brother Raymond, and his spouse, Debbie; his son Mike and his spouse Shannon; his daughter Debbie Guilfoil and her spouse Pat; his son Dan and his spouse Susan; his son Gary and his spouse Denise; his son Bob and his spouse Mary Ellen and his daughter Lynda Wurthman; his granddaughters Jennifer, Tara, Brittany, Kate, Taylor, Megan, Emma, Madigan, and Brianna; and his grandsons Michael Guilfoil, Jack, Hayden, Michael Wurthman, Quinn, Ian, Alec, Aidan and Sam; and his great grandchildren, Ava, Isabella, Audrina, Isla, Bentley, Lola, Sloane, Calvin, Harlyn, and Maddux. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers Bob, Jim, and Harold; and his son Jeff.
Jack was born in a different era, and was truly icon of that time. His devotion, modesty, and unselfishness will be missed by those whose lives he touched. It is hardworking individuals like Jack who were the silent backbone of the country and whose absence are a great loss for their families and for the country.
A memorial Mass will be held 10:30 AM, Saturday, November 18, 2017 at Craver-Riggs Funeral Home and Crematory in Milford. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting memorial donations are directed to St. Judes Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Judes Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Memorial Contribution