Jim Baker, of Sulphur, was born on October 4, 1937 in Olney, Texas to James Newton and Viola Kaye (Rogers) Baker. He passed away on Monday, April 1, 2024 in Sulphur, at the age of 86 years, five months, and 27 days.
Jim was a well known artist who has called Johnston County home for 48 years. He spent most of those years painting the people and places that surrounded him. He always had a pot of coffee on the stove and there was always a guarantee the conversation would be lively as he shared about his life and paintings. His enthusiasm was contagious.
He grew up surrounded by hardworking family and beautiful west Texas landscapes, but it wasn’t until he was sick with the mumps and confined to his room in WW2 that he discovered his love of art. With most of his family working because of the war, his Aunt Laurabelle stepped in to take care of him. She bought him several coloring books and crayons and he spent the two weeks he was down feverishly coloring and drawing. That was when he discovered his love for art.
At 17, he joined the navy and set sail on a two-year journey that took him 80,000 miles at sea. While aboard the ship, he kept his love of art alive by painting portraits for his fellow sailors sweethearts that were waiting for them back home.
While still in the Navy, he would sit at the Lucky Box Cafe waiting to catch the ship. That’s where he met the love of his life, Shirley, and they married. After finishing his service in the military, they moved to Amarillo where he worked as the art director at a local television station. In 1976, he moved the family to Johnston County where he pursued a full time art career, traveling thousands of miles to art shows in the greater southwest.
Jim is survived by his wife of 68 years, Shirley (Morris) Baker, of Sulphur; daughters, Kelly Cave and husband Paul, of Sulphur, Nancy Parsley of Tishomingo, Brenda Baker of Tishomingo; son, Richard Baker; foster son, George McDonald of Ada; sister, Vicki Lynn Felts; six grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Freddy Baker. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, April 18, 2024 in the chapel at DeArman-Clark Funeral Home in Tishomingo.
Services under the direction of the DeArman Funeral Home of Sulphur.
