| John L. Baker |
Sunday, March 14, 2010
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| ANGIER- John L. Baker, 81, of Angier, passed away on Thursday, March 11, 2010 at Wake-Med Cary. A native of O’Neill, Nebraska, he was the son of the late George H. and Elizabeth M. Baker and stepfather Henry J. Lohaus.
John is pre-deceased by his first wife, Emily M. Baker. John is survived by his wife Kathy H. Baker, children, John Michael Baker of San Antonio, TX, Robert Brian Ezzell of Prescot, AZ, and Camille E. Knouff and her husband Tim of High Point, NC. Sisters: Ellen L. Kadow and husband Brian and Jean L. Salata and husband Kalman all of Chevy Chase, MD, cousin Dr. Edward Gatz and wife Jean of Omaha, NE, Sister-in-law Myra H. Fulmer and husband, Robbie of Angier, NC, along with several nieces and nephews and two special puppies, Andy and Wendy.
John served his country as a fighter pilot in the U. S. Air Force during the Korean War flying the first U. S. jets and as fighter gunnery instructor for the U.S. Air Force. After the war John attended Creighton University where he earned his law degree. John served with the U. S. Department of Justice as a Trial Attorney in the Civil Division, then worked as a Legislative Assistant to the U. S. Senator, Roman L. Hruska of Nebraska. Later, Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation, The U. S. Department of Transportation as Deputy Director, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as Assistant Administrator for General Aviation; Airline Pilots Association (ALPA) as Executive Director; Aircraft Owners Pilots Association (AOPA) as President and CEO from 1977 through 1990 and then served as a Consultant to AOPA after retiring.
John was a very accomplished man, but he always said, “I’m just a country boy from Nebraska who worked very hard and had some good opportunities to come my way. I’m nothing special just a hard worker.” He was a loving husband, his wife’s very best friend. He will be missed by all who knew him, family and friends.
The family will receive from 7:00 - 9:00 pm Saturday, March 13, at Bryan-Lee Funeral Home, Angier. The funeral service will be held 2:00 pm Sunday, March 14, 2010 in the Chapel of Bryan-Lee Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Lakeside Memorial Gardens.
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