Mr. James Leon Baker

Jim Baker, 82, passed away on Tuesday, November 26, 2013 from sudden and declining health. He is now resting peacefully in heaven. Jim was born in Greensboro, NC on May 5, 1931 to James Hobert and Audrey Cavanaugh Baker. He was raised by his father Hobert and second wife Anne Pace Baker, along with their housekeeper Bertie Heath. Jim graduated from Greensboro High School in 1949 and attended classes at Guilford College and the Marine Corps Institute. On September 19, 1951, Jim joined the Marine Corps and served 4 years on active duty during the Korean Conflict in the First and Third Marine Air Wing reaching the rank of Staff Sargent. During this time he met the love of his life Carmelena Lopez and they were married on November 30, 1951. In 1955 he became an employee of Cone Mills in Reidsville, NC as Superintendent of Personnel but in 1956 left to work for Kraft Foods and through his hard work he became a recipient of the prestigious J. L. Kraft Award. At the time, this was the highest honor bestowed upon an employee of Kraft Foods and the “Jade ring” he received was worn with great pride. In 1968 Jim joined Southeastern Marketing as an Account Executive and by 1974 became Vice President and rose to the position of Chairman/CEO in 1983. He remained in that capacity until he retired in 1994, in 2004 he joined the William C. Etheridge Foundation as a board member where he served until the present. Jim loved life. He enjoyed traveling with his son Steve and daughter-in-law, Donna to his place in Atlantic Beach, NC and to Ocean Drive, SC. Jim had a quick smile and enjoyed meeting people and loved a nice meal with a good glass of wine, a slow dance with a pretty lady, a walk on the beach and a quick joke but most of all he was a family man and loved spending time with his family and his great grandchildren. On May 11, 2009, Jim’s life was brightened by the arrival of a beautiful Great Grandaughter, Alivia and on August 22, 2012 by the arrival of a Great Grandson, Aaden. In recent years, Jim had inquired about this Mother’s family and after some diligent research by Martha Guthrie, Jim was able to connect with and meet a sister that he never knew existed, Kathryn Mathis. His new family now includes an additional six first cousins. Jim was preceeded in death by his wife Carmelena Lopez Baker and is survived by his son, Dr. J. Steven Baker and wife Donna Rook Baker; Sister,Kathryn Mathis and husband Phil Mathis; 2 Grandaughters, Courtney Mann; and Ashley Mann Woodlief and husband Aaron and Great Grand Children Aliva and Aaden Woodlief; Cousins, Evelyn Paschal Zarycki, Norman Paschal, Ronnie Avery, Janette Vlanich, John Cavanaugh, Kevin Cavanaugh, Patricia Notini, Moira Cavanaugh and Maureen Cavanaugh-Shiroma. He leaves behind many friends Visitation and Memorial Service to be held Sunday, December 1st at Renaissance Funeral Home, 7615 Six Forks Road Raleigh, NC 27615 with entombment to follow at Raleigh Memorial Park. Flowers are welcome but donations may be made to Fight Like Paxton, 13124 Six Forks Road, Raleigh, NC 27614

Mr. James Leon Baker

May 5, 1931 - November 26, 2013