James William Baker, 84, of McAlester, passed away on Saturday, November 24, 2018 at his home.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 28, 2018 at Bishop Chapel of Memories officiated by Pastor Jeremy Lalli. Burial will be at Pittsburg Cemetery. Pallbearers will be his grandsons. Honorary pallbearers will be Gary Shaffer, Glen Dale Beshear, James Burk, Randal Baker, Daryl Baker, Jerry Van Noy, Robert Van Noy, and Rance Ellis.

James was born on July 31, 1934 in Flowery Mound to James Oscar and Myrtle Alta (Long) Baker. He grew up in Indianola, and lived and worked in California and Arizona. He returned to Oklahoma and married Margaret "Evelyn" Wilson in 1967 in McAlester. He worked as a roofer for forty-four years.

James was a hard worker and enjoyed wood working, hunting and fishing. He enjoyed playing stringed instruments especially with his brothers and sisters.

James was preceded in death by his parents: James and Myrtle Baker, his wife: Evelyn Baker on February 4, 2005, son: Jerry Don Baker, grandson: Craig Watson, brother: Jiles Baker, and sisters: Lorene Shaffer and Virginia Beshear.

Survivors include his children: Anita Watson and husband, Robert of Pittsburg, Doug Baker and Scarlet Williams of Krebs, Kim Luney and husband, Bob of Crane, Missouri, Ada Fox of McAlester; special niece: Amanda Collins and husband, Andrew and family: Andrea, Ashlea, Alexia, and Zachary Collins; very special friend to the family: Linda Shaw. Also grandsons: Jason Watson, Kelby Baker, Gavin Baker Santos, Dan Teague, Dalton Teague, Sheldon Teague, Clayton Teague, Joseph Luney, Matthew Luney, Wyatt Luney, Dalton Luney, Cody Lackey, Nathan Fox, and Hayden Fox; seventeen great-grandchildren; and brothers and sisters: Charlie Baker, Ruth Van Noy, Carl Baker, Pauline Burk, and Georgeanna Browder.