James P. Baker

Funeral services for James P. Baker, 86, of Lufkin, will be held Wednesday, November 21, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel in Lufkin with The Rev. Art A. Callaham officiating. Interment will follow in the Garden of Memories Memorial Park.

Mr. Baker was born April 23, 1926 in Warren, Arkansas to the late Gussie (Wheeler) and O.P. ""Buck"" Baker. He died Sunday, November 18, 2012 in a Lufkin nursing facility.

After graduating from Hermitage High School in 1947, Mr. Baker joined the Merchant Marines and served until he was honorably discharged in 1952. He opened his first nursing home in Houston in 1956, and acted as Administrator and General Manager for several years. In 1961, he was elected Vice President of the Houston Chapter of the Texas Nursing Home Association.

In 1962, Mr. Baker was elected Treasurer of the Texas Nursing Home Association Board. In 1963, he was elected 4th Vice President of the Texas Nursing Home Association Board, as well as President of the Houston Chapter of the T.N.H.A. He was re-elected President of the chapter in 1964.

Mr. Baker moved to Lufkin in 1964, where a new 100-bed nursing home facility was constructed under his supervision. When the building was completed, he assumed the duties of General Manager and part owner of Lufkin Nursing Home Incorporated. He continued in the capacity of part owner and General Manager of facilities in Houston. That year, he was also elected to 3rd Vice President of the Board of Directors for the Texas Nursing Home Association. In 1965, he was elected 1st Vice President and was awarded with the Distinguished Service Certificate from the T.N.H.A. He also received a plaque from the Houston Chapter of T.N.H.A. as the man doing the most to improve the nursing home image and upgrade nursing homes in the Houston area. Mr. Baker continued in the nursing home business for several more decades, holding Texas Nursing Home Administrator's License 001. He enjoyed golf, traveling in his R.V., and dining with friends.

He is survived by his wife, Margie Baker of Lufkin; son, Tom Pierce Baker of Houston; grandson, Casey James Baker of Houston; granddaughter, Abby Baker of Houston; brother and sister-in-law, Lewis W. and Jeannie Cline; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Mr. Baker was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Caroline Davis.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 212 Gene Samford Dr., Lufkin, Texas 75904.

The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Wednesday morning at the funeral home in Lufkin.

Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors