Jimmie W. ‘Jim’ Baker

Retired U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Jimmie W. “Jim” Baker, 76, of McClure, died at 4:10 p.m. Friday, May 29, 2009, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

He was born on April 18, 1933, in Thebes, the son of Eugene and Elsie Waddell Baker.

He and Patty Powless were married on Oct. 4, 1952.

He was a retired master sergeant in the U.S. Air Force, serving his country from 1952 to 1975 in Korea, Phillipines, Viet Nam and North Africa. He was a Bronze Star recipient for his Viet Nam service. After retirement from the Air Force, he worked for 18 years as port coordinator for Luhr Brothers in Cape Girardeau. He was a member of Sandy Creek Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Patty, of McClure; one son Jimmie H. Baker of McClure; one daughter, Cathi (Mike) Burnham of Bossier City, La.; four grandchildren, Bradley Neal Anderson, Brittany Sue Anderson, Jimmie Howard Baker Jr., and Brent Burnham; three great-grandchildren, Payton, Josh and Ashley; one brother, A.G. (Gladys) Baker of Scott City, Mo.; one sister, Thelma “Sis” (Lloyd) Phillips of McClure; a brother-in-law, Bill Powless of Tamms; a daughter-in-law, Viola Baker of Cape Girardeau; nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Funeral services were at 1 p.m. Wednesday, June 3, at Crain Funeral Home in Tamms with the Rev. Mark Kirk and the Rev. Clint Nale offciating. Military honors followed at the funeral home. Interment was in McCrite Cemetery.

Memorials can be made to McCrite Cemetery or to Sandy Creek Baptist Church.

Crain Funeral Home in Tamms was in charge of arrangements.