James Donald Baker

May 29, 1938 - May 18, 2022

James Donald Baker (J.D), 83, born May 29, 1938 to Roy C. and Lucille Oliver Baker in Oroville, California. He passed away with his family by his side on Wednesday, May 18, 2022. He was a member of Chestnut Flats Primitive Baptist Church. He was a fifty-year member and Past Master of Valley Lodge # 93, Kingsport Knights Templar #33, Jericho Shrine Temple, Past District Deputy Grand Master of the 46th Masonic District, and Past Patron of Bristol Chapter #28 and Bell Walsh #65 O.E.S. He proudly served our country in the United States Navy from 1955-1959 aboard the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt CVA #42. He retired from Universal Fibers as a Maintenance Mechanic. J.D. was also a proud member of the Kingsport Gems and Minerals Club. He was preceded in death by his parents, a grandson, Levi Richard Carter and brother, Dale Baker. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Mary Sue Baker; daughter, Mary Donette Carter and husband Richard and their children, Noah and Chelsey Carter; son, James Bradford Baker and wife Vanessa and their children Will and Ross Baker; as well as brother, Alvin Douglass Baker of Cowpens, South Carolina. Visitation will be Saturday, May 21, 2022 from 12:00PM-1:00PM with the funeral to follow at 1:00PM officiated by Elder Kevin Cross, Elder Oscar Irvin, and Pastor Coy Webb in the Mountain View Mausoleum on Valley Drive, Bristol, Virginia. Entombment into the Mausoleum will follow a 21-gun salute. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Shriner’s Hospital for Children (Road Runners Transportation Fund) 1100 Jericho Drive, Kingsport, Tennessee 37663. Honorary Pallbearers will be Dennis Franklin, Gary Wingate, grandsons and nephews.