JR Baker, age 93, passed away on August 19, 2026, in Dallas, Texas. He spent his final days surrounded by his children and grandchildren, before he was called home to be reunited with his parents, Joseph Raymond and Cordia Ola Bryce Baker, his brothers, Troy and Ray Baker, his sister, Marie Baker Morse Spires, the first love of his life, Cola Walker Baker, and his second love, Jane Dean Beckett Baker.

JR is survived by his children, Bill (Paula) Baker of Georgia, Marsha (Mark) Rhodes of Mississippi, Mary (Greer) Harris Yeldell of Texas, and Melissa (James) Knotts of Illinois, his 13 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and his wife of six years, Loyce Lane Campbell Baker.

JR was a man of profound faith who loved with his whole heart, never slowing down, never sitting still, with a smile always on his face.

JR was born September 24, 1932, in Killeen, Texas. When he was 19, he met Cola and immediately fell in love. They were married just three months later, on November 27, 1952.

Despite being raised on a ranch, and seemingly destined for the life of a cowboy, JR knew from a young age that his true calling was in the skies, taking his first solo flight at just 16 years old. JR served in the US Air Force from 1953 to 1957, achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant. Afterwards he worked for over 50 years as a pilot, flying corporate jets and charter planes all over the country. His grandchildren all have fond memories of flying next to him in the copilot seat. His children all have slightly less fond memories of sitting through countless hours of slideshows of all the different cloud formations he photographed. He was honored with the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award in 2024, for achieving 50 years of safe flying, logging more than 22,000 hours in the air.

JR served faithfully as an elder at White’s Ferry Road Church of Christ in West Monroe, Louisiana, for 25 years, where he and Cola founded and led a thriving Divorce Recovery group. After returning to Texas, he faithfully attended the Church of Christ of Georgetown, and later served as an elder at the La Vernia Church of Christ.

After he eventually retired from flying, he spent years travelling around the country, always in search of a new adventure. JR and Cola were married for 52 years before she passed away in 2005.

Not long after, he went to his 55th high school reunion and reconnected with an old classmate, Jane. Once again, it was love at first sight, and they were lovesick newlyweds for all 14 years of their marriage.

After the heartbreak of losing Jane, he was lucky enough to fall in love one more time with Loyce, and they were married in 2020. He spent his final years still travelling the country, hand in hand with Loyce.

Everything JR did, he did with his whole heart. Serving the church, following Jesus, flying his planes, loving his family, adoring his wives, doting on his grandchildren, and delighting in his great grandchildren. He leaves a legacy of faith that has already carried on for generations, and can now rest easy with his Savior, knowing that he served him faithfully all of his days. He will be deeply missed by all who loved him, but we know he is saving a seat for us and we will join him when our time comes.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in JR's honor to either the Alzheimer's Association , or Make-a-Pilot Aviation Scholarships.

https://www.alz.org/

https://make-a-pilot.org/donations