James (Jim) Douglas Baker

James (Jim) Douglas Baker, 66, of Rockford, Illinois, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, March 16, 2017, surrounded by his family. Jim was born on July 17, 1950 in Goshen, Indiana where he grew up and graduated from Goshen High School in 1968. He earned his Bachelor’s degree, in 1975, from Purdue University. In 1972, he completed pilot training for the United States Air Force, during which time he flew the T-37 Mentor and T-38 Talon. He went on to fly the F-100 Super Sabre and the F-4 Phantom in the Indiana Air National Guard, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel after more than 20 years of service. Jim also flew for American Airlines, starting in 1988, and retired as Captain in January 2011, having flown 5 different models of aircraft. He had many hobbies including woodworking; model railroading; aviation; landscape photography; and traveling with his wife Linda in planes, trains and their 5th wheel camper. He was an active member of Christ United Methodist Church, the National Model Railroad Association, Experimental Aircraft Association, and Angel Flight Central.
He is survived by his wife, Linda; sons Brandon (Amy), Michael (Corinne) and Stephen (Julia); step-son Christopher Stohl; grandchildren Mason, Molly, Kateri, Anthony, Gianna, Madeline, Luke, Hannah Grace, Samuel, Lorelai, Charlotte and Marianne; sister Linda Williams; as well as many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Warren and Maxine Baker, and step-son Shawn Stohl.
Funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 21, 2017 at Christ United Methodist Church Alpine Center, 4509 Highcrest Road, Rockford, Illinois 61108 with Reverend Jane Eesley. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Monday, March 20 at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 1860 South Mulford Road, and will continue at the church on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Interment will take place on Wednesday at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the ALS Association of Greater Chicago, 220 W Huron St # 4003, Chicago, IL 60654 or Christ United Methodist Church, 4905 Highcrest Road, Rockford, Illinois 61108. To express online condolences, please visit: www.fitzgeraldfh.com.