John Baker

John Robert Baker, 67 of Seminole, Oklahoma died January 21, 2012 at his residence in Seminole.  Services will be held 10:30 a.m., Thursday, January 26, 2012 at Swearingen Funeral Home Chapel.  Pastor Marvin Kehl of the First Baptist Church of Seminole will officiate services. John was born to Chester Baker and Ruby Grisso Baker on March 7, 1944 in Vallejo, California.  He graduated from Bowlegs High School in 1962 and attended college at East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma.  He was employed at Tinker Air Force Base for 35 years, retiring in 2001 as a Management Analyst.  From 1976-1980 John served two terms on the Seminole City Council.  He coached Little League Baseball and was vice-president at the state level for the CABA Baseball Association. He was an Odyssey of the Mind coach for several years, competing nationally on two occasions.  John was a member of the Seminole Elks Lodge where he served as treasurer and coordinated donations from the lodge to the Sulphur Veteran’s Home.  He also served in the National Guard. John is survived by his wife, Natalie; a son, Jarrod Baker of Shawnee, a daughter Sharon Racine and her husband Dana of Boston, Massachusetts, and two recent born twin grandchildren, Genevieve and Isaac Racine; a sister, Saundra Garrison and her husband, Bob of Seminole, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother, Wayne Baker. Casket bearers will be Mark Newman, Jim Lawson, Nick Baker, Brandon Lyle, Matt Daniel and Tommy Darr. Services are under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole, Oklahoma.  Messages of condolence may be sent through www.swearingenfuneralhome.com. Funeral Information: January 26, 2012, 10:30 AM Swearingen Funeral Home Chapel located at 1001 N. Milt Phillips, Seminole, OK 74868