The Rev. James E. Baker, 84, died on Saturday, October 30, 2021, at Hays Medical Center in Hays. Father Jim was born on April 4, 1937, in Erie, PA, where he grew up the second of three sons born to Robert and Genevieve Baker. He completed grade school at St. George School in Erie in June of 1951.
On September 14, 1951, he entered the Pontifical
College Josephinum at Columbus, Ohio where he completed high school,
college and four years of graduate school in theology. He was ordained
to the priesthood for the Catholic Diocese of Dodge City in St.
Thuribius Chapel at the Josephinum on May 25, 1963 by Archbishop Egidio
Vaggnozzi, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States at the time. Father
Jim’s first priestly assignment was assistant at St. Anthony Church,
Liberal (1963-1965); subsequently assistant at Sacred Heart Cathedral,
Dodge City (1965-1969); assistant at St. John the Evangelist, Hoisington
(1969-1970). Father Jim was appointed to his first pastorate at St.
Helen, Hugoton and St. Alphonsus, Satanta in 1970 and he served there
until 1980 when be became pastor of St John the Evangelist, Hoisington
(1980-1984).
At the request of Bishop Stanley G. Schlarman, in August 1984 Father
Baker entered graduate school in Canon Law at St. Paul University,
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. After receiving a licentiate degree in June
1986 Father Jim returned to the diocese where he served as Chancellor
and later as Vicar General until October 1990. While assigned to the
Chancery Office Father Jim also served as pastor at Immaculate Heart of
Mary, Windthorst along with St. George, Bucklin and St Joseph,
Greensburg (1986-1990). For a few months (Jan-May, 1990) he also served
as Temporary Administrator of St. Mary’s, Hodgeman County.
In October 1990, primarily to be closer to his seriously ill parents,
Father Baker accepted an assignment as Associate Vicar at Our Lady of
Lourdes Parish, Dunedin, Florida. His father died November 22, 1990 and
his mother died April 13, 1991 and Father Jim returned to the Diocese
of Dodge City where he was appointed Judicial Vicar for the Diocese and
also served very briefly (April-June 1991) as Parochial Vicar at Sacred
Heart Cathedral before being assigned as pastor at Holy Rosary, Medicine
Lodge and St. John, Kiowa (1991-1993). He was appointed pastor at St.
Lawrence, Jetmore, St. Anthony, Hanston and Holy Rosary, Burdett
(1993-1997). He was appointed pastor of St. Mary, Garden City
(1997-2006). He also served as priest supervisor at St. Alphonsus,
Satanta (2002-2006). Father Jim retired from being the Judicial Vicar
of the Diocese and pastor of St. Mary’s effective November 20, 2006. In
retirement he continued to serve as judge on the Diocesan Tribunal as
well as a judge on the Tribunal of the Archdiocese for the Military
Services, USA, Washington, D.C.
Not only was Father Baker privileged to serve the Church as a Priest and
Canon Lawyer he also served the youth of Southwest Kansas by his
activity in Santa Fe Trail Council, Boy Scouts of America. He began his
volunteer work in scouting in 1963, serving as the treasurer of the
newly formed Pack 47, sponsored by St. Anthony Church in Liberal. In
February 1971 he became scoutmaster of Troop 188, at Rotary sponsored
troop in Hugoton. Over the years he has served as District Chairman in
all three districts of the council: (Cimarron River, Liberal, High
Plains, Dodge City and Buffalo Range, Garden City). On November 15,
1975 he received the District Award of Merit. Having completed the
national requirements of Woodbadge Courses, NC-129 as a member of the
Owl Patrol, he served on the staff of many other Woodbadge courses and
in 1994 he was asked to serve as Scoutmaster of Woodbadge Course C 11
L-94. He also served on the Executive Board of the Santa Fe Trail
Council beginning in 1972. On January 20, 1980 the Diocese of Dodge
City presented him with the St. George Award. On March 7, 1981 the
Council presented him with the Silver Beaver Award, the highest award a
Boy Scouts of America Council can give a volunteer scouter.
Father Jim loved to travel. He has vacationed in all 50 states and the
District of Columbia, his favorite being the coast of Oregon and the
coast of Maine and the state of Alaska. He traveled to Europe twice,
concentrating the first time on Austria and second on Italy (Rome). He
was in Canada many times, living there for two years (1984-1986). He
spent many most enjoyable times at Spanish Peaks Scout Ranch,
Walsenburg, Colorado and went every summer for a week or more to
Southwest Colorado in the Durango area. He also enjoyed many cruises to
Mexico, Alaska, through the Panama Canal, the Mexican Riviera and
Hawaii. In retirement Father Jim enjoyed his work at Garnand Funeral
Home in Garden City as a driver and evening attendant.
He is survived by 2 Sisters-In-Law- Barbara Baker of Fredericksburg, VA
and Patricia Baker of Edinboro, PA, 5 Nephews- Robert, Michael, James,
Mark & Joseph, 2 Nieces- Kathleen and Dr. Christina Marie, and 6
Grand Nieces and 5 Grand Nephews. He was preceded in death by his
Parents and 2 Brothers- Robert Baker and Dr. Ronald Baker.
Vigil Service will be at 7:00 PM Thursday and Funeral Mass will be at
10:30 AM Friday both at St Dominic Catholic Church in Garden City.
Burial will be in Valley View Cemetery in Garden City. Friends may call
from 9:00 AM to 5:00 P M Thursday at Garnand Funeral Home in Garden
City.
Memorials are suggested to St Mary Catholic Church or Santa Fe
Trail Council BSA in care of Garnand Funeral Home. Condolences may be
posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com