James Baker

James "Jim" E. Baker, 89, died Wednesday May 6, 2009 at a local nursing home. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 9, 2009 in the chapel at First Baptist Church, 1333 North 3rd Street. Dr. Phil Christopher and Rev. Bob Weissinger will officiate. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Burial will follow at a later date in the Texas State Veteran's Cemetery at Abilene. August 21, 1919, Jim was born the son of John and Anna (Comfort) Baker in Brandon, Mississippi. He graduated from Dallas Tech High School. Jim served in the United States Navy during World War II. On January 7, 1944, Jim married Myrtis Torrence in Jackson, Mississippi. He worked in Houston as an elevator constructor for Otis Elevator for 22 years and then Dover Elevator for 24 years. Abilene has been Jim and Myrits' home for the past 16 years. He was a member of First Baptist Church, where he served as an usher and was a member of the Adult 1 Men's Class. He was also a Mason. Jim loved baseball, especially the Astros. He was an avid mall walker. Jim enjoyed gardening and loved his flowers. Preceding Jim in death were his parents, John and Anna Baker, two sisters and seven brothers. Jim is survived by his wife, Myrtis Baker, of Abilene; two daughters, Diane Cole and her husband J.L., of Abilene and Donnie Rinn, of Rockdale; a son-in-law, John Rinn, also of Rockdale; seven grandchildren, Jimmy Cole and wife Anjani, of Abilene, John Cole and wife Marci, of Waxahachie, Andrew Cole and wife Janelle, of Abilene, Jenny Rinn and husband Mike Kelley, of California, Julie Campbell and husband Trey, of New Braunfels, Lee Rinn and wife Jennifer, of Bryan College Station and Paul Rinn, of Austin; and thirteen great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made in honor of Jim Baker to Hospice of Big Country, 4601 Hartford, Abilene, Texas 79605 or to the donor's favorite charity.