James Baker, active in church

James Albert Baker, a former Ridgefielder who was active in the Methodist Church here, died on Friday, Nov. 28, in West Palm Beach, Fla. He was 84 years old and the husband of Violet Baker.
Mr. Baker was born on May 21, 1919, in Buff Bay, Portland Parish, in the Jamaica West Indies, the youngest of six children of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Baker.
He completed his formal education in Buff Bay and, after working in the hardware and construction fields, migrated to the United States in 1945. He married Violet Stewart in 1950, and they settled in Ridgefield, where he worked at Conklin Farm. He later became a mechanic at Kellogg and Theiss Inc., the Cadillac-Pontiac dealership on Danbury Road.
He subsequently undertook training to become an electrician and worked at Gilbert & Bennett Manufacturing Company in Georgetown until his retirement in 1984.
Mr. Baker was an active member of the Jesse Lee Memorial United Methodist Church where he served as head usher. He was a member of the Prince Hall Masons in Norwalk, and had been a worshipful master.
In 1988, the Bakers, who had lived on Bennett’s Farm Road, moved to West Palm Beach. There Mr. Baker became active in the Grace Episcopal Church and the United Methodist Church of the Palm Beaches.
“He had many devoted friends and family members in the community,” said the family. “He was well known for his humble spirit, Christian lifestyle, and willingness to lend a helping hand. He was a humorous man who greeted all with his famous smile.”
Besides his wife, Mr. Baker is survived by his children, Joan and her husband James Harris of Las Vegas, Nev., Janet Sims of West Palm Beach, James A. Baker and his wife Karen of Danbury, and Marcia Rodrigues of Upper Marlboro, Md.; nine grandchildren, Craig, Shanisha and Atira Harris, Michael and Keegan Sims, Kendra and Sage Baker, India and Edward Rodrigues III; and by three great-grandchildren.
His parents and his five siblings died before him.
Services will take place Saturday, Dec. 6, at the United Methodist Church of the Palm Beaches, West Palm Beach.
In his memory, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 372 Danbury Road, Wilton CT 06897.