James Ray Baker, 87, of Wellington, passed away peacefully in his sleep Friday morning after a long illness. Jim was born to the late John Baker and Gertrude Utley on May 3, 1931 in West Jefferson, Ohio. He attended Montpelier High School before enlisting in the Navy, where he served nine years which included the Korean War. Jim was an Aircraft Mechanic Foreman on the U.S.S. Midway Aircraft Carrier and earned his G.E.D. while in the Navy. It is in the Navy where he also became a prominent boxer. winning the 5th Fleet championship fighting under the ring name "Battling Biff" Baker. He was a member of the Carpenters Union and also spent numerous years in law enforcement. He began his career as a Military Police Officer in Hawaii before coming back to the states to serve as a Wellington Auxiliary Policeman and would eventually become the Police Chief of Kipton. He was also a member of the Blue Knights Motor Cycle Club and was a founding member of the R.A.T. Patrol, a CB radio affiliated group that would aid and assist the police in traffic control during accidents and any other police or fire emergency. He was active member in Wellington community, coaching and umpiring Little League Baseball for many years. He was a scout master for the Weblos Scout Program. He was a long-time member of the Wellington Eagles for 62-years and served as President in 1966-1967. An avid hunter and fisherman, Jim loved to go on annual deer hunting trips in West Virginia with his relatives and friends, and fish farm ponds whenever he could find the time. Even with his recent health issues, if he was able to walk, he would go fishing with his youngest son, Ben. He would hardly ever come home empty handed, but when he did, he'd have an interesting story about the one that got away. Jim is survived by his seven children, James, Jr. (Suzanne) of North Ridgeville, Mark (Kimberly), of Wellington, Greg of Wellington, Ben (Kathy) of Wellington, and daughters, Rosemarie (Joe) Macnamara of Ashland, Carrie Hitchcock of Ashland and Antoinette (Don) Novotny of Wellington. He is also survived by her sisters Mary Tressler, Dolly Viers, Carol Parsons, Jewell Head and Cheri Utley. Jim leaves behind 15 grandchildren: Josh Baker, Mark, Brooks, Jake and Connor Baker, Trey, Zach and Devon Baker, Grace and Lily Macnamara, Allison Hyde, Renee Manocchio, George and Gabby Hitchcock and Danielle Novotny and 15 great grandchildren: Keagan Armitage, Kennedy and Karter Baker, Emily and Aaron Hyde, Ava, Gianna, Drew and Dominic Manocchio, Campbell Baker and Camden Baker, Grayson Livingston and McKenna and Reese Baker and Lucian Baker. In addition to his mother and father, Jim was preceded in death by the mother of his seven children, Mary Eleanor Baker, his sister's Dorothy Harmon and Virginia Utley and brothers John, Pete and Russ Baker. Calling hours are from 5-8 pm on Tuesday, March 5th at the Norton-Eastman Funeral Home, 370 South Main Street, Wellington. The Wellington Eagles will perform closing ceremonies at 7:45 pm. A private family service will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday at the funeral home, followed by a military burial at Greenwood Cemetery. A Celebration of Life Luncheon will be held at the Wellington Eagles, 631 South Main Street at 1:00 pm on Wednesday. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Baker family to assist in funeral costs.

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