Jean Davis Baker

Jean Davis Baker, 89, passed from this life at his home on November 10, 2009. Funeral: 1:30 p.m. Friday in White's Chapel of Memories, 130 Houston Avenue, Weatherford. Burial: Memory Gardens of the Valley Memorial Park, 5600 Mineral Wells Highway, Weatherford. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Jean Davis Baker was the son of the late Perry M. and Olie V. Baker, born in Weatherford on February 13, 1920. Jean grew up in and around Garner, graduating from Garner High School in 1937. In 1938 he joined the National Guard's Battery C, 132nd Field Artillery, 36th (Texas) Infantry Division, located in Weatherford. On November 18, 1940 he married his childhood sweetheart, the lovely, Miss Berniece Irene Pinson. A week later, on the 25th, his organization was called to active duty and Battery C was consequently established in Camp Bowie at Brownwood, Texas. After Pearl Harbor, and the Declaration of War, Jean's unit was removed to Camp Blandings, Florida. In the spring of 1943 the Texas Division embarked for North Africa and on September 9th made the first amphibious landing on hostile beaches on the Bay of Salerno, Italy, being the first American Division of World War II to land on the mainland of Europe. From September 9, 1943 until the end of the war in 1945, Jean served in five major European campaigns. At the end of the war Jean re-enlisted in the United States Air Force. In May 1966 he honorably retired having served almost thirty years in duty to his county. After retirement he was employed by the General Dynamics Company as a writer of technical manuals and with fifteen years of service, retired once again. In his retirement years Jean served as a municipal judge of Aledo, a member of the Parker County Historical Commission, a member of the Weatherford Public Library Board, a member and past president of the Friends of the Weatherford Public Library, and of the Parker County Genealogical Society. He was a member of the United Methodist Church. Jean was a life member of The Sons of the Republic of Texas; a member of the Knights of Pythias; The American Legion, and the 36th Infantry Division Reunion Association. Mr. Baker was a volunteer at the Weatherford Public Library for many years, devoted his time in the Local History and Genealogical Branch of the library. Jean Baker was a loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend to many. His talents were endless. He was a painter, a sculptor, and a writer. In his later years, he pinned his war memoirs in the culmination of a book, Growing Up Soldier. To know Jean Baker was to love him and he was loved by many, many people. He will be truly missed by all. Jean Baker leaves behind his beloved wife, Berniece Baker; son, John Baker and wife, Sandra of Highland, Illinois; daughter, Janiece Oliver and husband, Vaughn of Weatherford; ten grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Clara Edwards of Weatherford, Edith Stembridge of Alvarado, and Pat Clontz of New Mexico; plus numerous nieces and nephews and many dear friends.