James Baker

James Arthur Baker, Sr. 63 of East 23rd Street, Newton died Wednesday, July 25, 2012 at Carolina?s Medical Center in Charlotte. Born November 26, 1948, he was the son of the late Franklin Curtis Baker and Florence Vinamae Jenkins Taylor. James served our Country in the United States Marine Corp. and the U.S. Army. He retired with twenty years of service. James served as the Finance Director of Newton. He was involved in many civic organizations, including the Catawba Valley Rotary Club and was active with the Corner Table in Newton and was a former board member. He loved spending time with his family and friends and he cherished all the time that he had with each of them. In addition to his wife of 43 years, Elizabeth Diane Miller Baker of the home; two sons, James Arthur Baker, Jr. and wife Robbin of Newton and Michael Lloyd Baker and wife Christy of Newton; two sisters, Helen Doucet of Newton and Debbie Roberts and husband Bruce of Maryville, TN; a brother, Curtis Wayne Baker of Maryville, TN; five grand-children, Courtney Baker, Balie Baker, Heather Futrell, Jamie Jo Baker and Zachary Ryan Baker; four great grand-children, Zyair Green, Imani Green, Marcus Tadeo and Rylynn Tadeo; numerous brother?s and sister?s in law; and many special nieces and nephews that are left to cherish his memory survive him. He loved each of them so much. A sister, Sharroyn Baker Nix preceded him in death. The funeral will be 2:00 p.m. Sunday, July 29, 2012 at Howard, Carter and Stroud Funeral Home Chapel in Kinston, NC. The Rev. Ted Mace will officiate. Burial will follow at Pinelawn Memorial Park in Kinston, NC. Military graveside rites will be provided by the American Legion. The family will receive friends 1-2:00 pm, one hour prior at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 500 East Morehead Street, St. 211 Charlotte, NC 28202. Please sign the online guestbook at www.JenkinsFuneralHome.net. The Baker family has entrusted arrangements to Jenkins Funeral Home in Newton.