James Bernard Baker

James Bernard Baker, 96, of Huntsville, Arkansas, died May 15, 2016 at the Willard Walker Hospice Home in Fayetteville, Arkansas. He was born August 25, 1919 at Huntsville, Arkansas, the son of Bert and Cuba Denney Baker. He was a retired welder and automobile mechanic and a veteran of World War II, serving in the United States Army in Europe and received a medal in 1994 from the French government for his role in the liberation of France. He was a member of Hayes-Smith Post #137, American Legion and was a founding father of the Forum Alabam Volunteer Fire Department and built its first fire engine. He was preceded in death by his wife of 74 years, Gladys Vaughn Baker on May 9, 2015. He was also preceded in death by his parents, his daughter, Sue Baker Kelley, a granddaughter, Diana Kelley Ponder and his brother, Bill Baker. Survivors include: his sister, Frances Baker Thomason of Springfield, Missouri; his granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Joanna Kelley Brown and Chad Brown of Poteau, Oklahoma; four great-grandchildren, Andrew Brown, Matthew Brown, Megan Ponder and Spenser Ponder; his surviving nieces and nephews are Cora Baker Sturzel of Washington, Fred Baker of Colorado, Laura Baker, Flora Baker and Denney Thomason of Missouri and cousins scatter across the United States. He is also survived by his extended family: Nancy Sue and Clifton Wood, Marjorie Ellen Fitch-Hilgenberg, Reba and Ron Sloan, Marvin and Gay Jones, Gene Townsend, Shay Stroud and Butch and Charlie Harmon and many, many more. Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 19, at the Alabam Cemetery with The Reverend Gary Faulkner officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Brashears Funeral Home www.brashearsfuneralhome.net of Huntsville, Arkansas. He will lie in state from 9-9 p.m. Wednesday at Brashears.