John Joseph Baker

John Joseph Baker's sunrise was December 16, 1958 and his sunset was February 17, 2021. He was born in Saginaw, Michigan to Paul & Betty (Milbrandt) Baker. John was blessed with one brother and one sister, Paula and Brad. He spent his childhood traveling with his family, playing outside, & making memories with the neighborhood boys. He was a true adventurer. John completed his tool maker apprenticeship at Modern Machine in 1981. He began his career at Merrill Tool & years later he moved on to work for Delphi/TRW where he made many lifelong friends. He eventually made his way back to where it all began and finished his career back at Merrill Technologies as a Senior Estimator. John met the love of his life, Velvet Pahssen in the fall of 1982. They said their “I do's” on a hot summer day, August 23, 1986. Three years later they welcomed their first daughter, "his Princess" Ashley Nichole. Followed by his middle child "his Punkin" Kari Marie. His family would not have been complete without the birth if his first and only son "his Chief" Derek John. John Baker was the epitome of what it means to be a father. His greatest adventure was his grandsons, Jayce, Kyree, & Johnny. He lived for his family. John was the ultimate provider not only for his family but for anyone around him. He loved to fish & hunt with his beloved dog, Buster DOG Baker. John’s favorite past times were taking family vacations up north to Houghton Lake, boating, and going on cruises with his beautiful wife. Spending summers on the "veranda", grilling out, and cannon balling into the pool with his Grandsons. He meant so much to so many and left his mark on anyone who had the pleasure of meeting him. Everybody knew "Baker". John was loved and respected by all who knew him. May he rest in his happy place on the side of the river catching that once in a lifetime fish.

Surviving are his wife of 35 years, Velvet M. Baker of Saginaw; two daughters and a son: Ashley Baker of Saginaw; Kari (Quintin) Reisinger of Saginaw; Derek Baker of Saginaw; three grandchildren: Jayce, Kyree, and John Ryan; his parents, Paul and Betty Baker of Saginaw; mother-in-law, Bonita Hill of Saginaw; one sister and one brother: Paula (Don) Dennison of Bay City; Brad (Trudi) Baker of TX; one brother-in-law, Rick (Ann) Pahssen of Saginaw; two sisters-in-law: Kim (Tim) O’Keefe of Saginaw; Tamera Pahssen of Saginaw. Also surviving are many nieces, nephews, great-neices, great-nephews, extended family, and dear friends.

He was preceded in death by two fathers-in-law: Robert Pahssen and Norman Hill; his grandparents Paul and Edith Baker, Clifford and Doris Milbrandt; and his cat, Tigger Badcat Baker.

A private funeral service will take place on Tuesday, February 23, 2021. Rev. Ted McCulloch will officiate. Entombment will take place at St. Andrew Cemetery. Friends are welcome to visit with the family at the W. L. Case & Company Funeral Chapel, 201 N. Miller Road on Monday, February 22, 2021 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. In accordance with the Department of Health and Human Services ordinance, indoor capacity is limited to 25 people at a time, masks are required, and social distancing encouraged. In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to his grandchildren’s college education c/o Velvet Baker. Please share your thoughts and memories with the family at the funeral home or through www.casefuneralhome.com.