James Edward Baker

james baker
James Edward Baker, 65, of Asheville, passed away on Thursday, January 4, 2018, at his residence. A native of Boone, NC, James was the son of the late George Edward and Virginia Denny Baker. A retired Sergeant with North Carolina State Highway Patrol with 30 years of service, Mr. Baker is a member of a proud law enforcement family along with his father and sons. He was also a member of the North Carolina Troopers Association and the Snow Lodge #363 A.F. & A.M in Boone. In his free time, he enjoyed golfing and visiting the Outer Banks each summer with his family. Mr. Baker is survived by his wife, Sheree Kuykendall Baker; sons, Robby Baker and wife Brook, and Bradley Baker and wife Caroline; sister, Vivian Baker Richards; and many other family members and friends. The funeral service for Mr. Baker will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Monday at the Groce Funeral Home chapel on Patton Ave. Interment with Masonic Rites performed by Biltmore Lodge #446 will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. The Lodge will open at 11:00 a.m. His family will receive friends, with the North Carolina Highway Patrol Honor Guard standing guard, for two hours prior to the service beginning at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, Mr. Baker’s family asks that memorials be made to the Irene Wortham Center Adult Day Activity, ATTN: Development Office Irene Wortham Center, 916 West Chapel Rd., Asheville, NC 28803.

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  1. Jim was always the consummate gentleman dedicated to his family and his community. He and Sheree raised two wonderful sons that are also serving their community by following the family lineage. I am proud I could call myself Jim’s friend. He will be missed by so many!

  2. Jim worked part-time as a District Security Officer for the US Marshals for the past several years. He was our number one go-to guy anytime we needed help. Everyone loved Big Jim at the federal courthouse. His service and friendship will be greatly missed.

  3. Sheree and Family
    I am so sorry for your loss Jim was a great friend growing up and with much admiration I watched his devotion to his family and the Highway Patrol over the years. Good times and memories we shall cherish of Jim, and you all are in my thoughts and prayers.

  4. Sheree,Robby and Bradley we are so sorry for your loss. Jim was a great man and will be missed. We pray that God will continue to bless your whole family.We will keep all of you in our thoughts and prayers.

  5. Mr. Jim was one of my instructors in BLET in 2017. He was an awesome man and instructor. Very insightful! I did not know him that long, but what little time I did spend learning from him out on the track during BLET, He was an awesome man and will be greatly missed. May he rest in peace and prayers go out to all of his family.

  6. Jimmy, as I knew him and middle and high school, was a wonderful guy. Always the gentleman and quite the athlete; playing basketball and baseball.
    My heart is greatly saddened for his family as they begin this difficult journey of transition without his daily presence. May the God of peace surround you at this time.

  7. Jimmy and I grew up together in Blowing Rock during the days when growing up meant spending time in school and in Church with family and friends. Our parents were good friends as were all the local people during those days and thus we spent a great deal of time together when we were young and during our entire public school life and growing up years.
    I send my sincerest thoughts and prayers to all his family, knowing what a loss his absence will be not only to his family but to the much larger community of the North Carolina Highway Patrol.

  8. I am so sorry to hear about Jimmy’s passing. I was friends with his sister Vivian growing up in Blowing Rock. They lived just a short distance from us and in small communities, everyone knew each other. I am sending love and prayers to his entire family.

  9. So sorry to learn of Jim’s passing. He was a friend from long ago beginning at Blowing Rock Elementary School. Prayers for your family.

  10. JIM WAS A GREAT MAN AN GOOD FRIEND I ALWAYS HAD SO MUCH FUN BACK IN THE DAY WITH HIM MARSHALL HARDIE . THEY ALWAYS GETTING INTO WHEN I RODE WITH SO MANY DAYS AN NIGHT. AN WE ALWAYS MEET UP WITH JIM AN BEING FIREMAN AN DEPUTY I WORK ALOT OF WRECK JIM.MY PRAY ARE WITH HIM AN FAMILY MAY GOD WATCH OVER THE FAMILY IN THE COMING DAYS.

    SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOST
    JIMMY HALL

  11. My condolences go out to the family. Have known Jimmy since high school and this was a shocker. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

  12. BAKER WAS A GREAT MAN AND LOVED THE HIGHWAY PATROL I’M SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS OF SUCH A GREAT MAN AND TROOPER HE WILL BE MISSED. RIP MY BROTHER OF THE GRAY AND BLACK GOD BLESS YOUR FAMILY BECAUSE I KNOW YOU ARE IN A PLACE YOU WOULD NEVER WANT TO LEAVE.

  13. I will be praying for the family. I did not know Jimmy well but Vivian was a friend of my sisters when I was a kid. I do remember him always being a very handsome man. He had a good name as a State Trooper just as his father did too.

  14. Sheree, Robby, Bradley, Caroline & Brook: I am so sorry to hear about Jim. We are all having trouble processing that he’s gone. Please know that me and my family are praying for the peace and comfort that only God can give. We love you!!

  15. Sgt. Baker, Jim, was a great man. I had the opportunity to work along side him on Patrol in Buncombe County and at the U.S. Marshal’s Service. He was the upmost professional and well mannered man. Respectful and respectable. I am so sorry to hear of his passing. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and colleagues.

  16. Jim was Always a Great Guy and a Great Trooper, So sorry to hear this news. Prayers for All Jim was truly one of the Real Good Guys we are lucky enough to meet in Life.. God bless Brother…

  17. Sheree and Family, Praying your hearts feel loved and cared for in a special way during this time of remembering your loved one. May the Lord give you rest for your heart and peace for your soul and a deep sense of comfort from ever prayer lifted up for you during this difficult time. You are a special family and a strong family. The Lord will see you through.
    Philippians 4:7
    With deepest sympathy and prayers

  18. Jimmy and I were friends in high school, and the news of his passage saddens me greatly. May he Rest In Peace and in the power of love.

  19. We grew up together in Blowing Rock. Jimmy didn’t live far from me
    and we would walk to each other’s house. Being a small community,
    our parents knew each other and we went to school and church together.
    I am so very sorry for his passing and send love and prayers to his family.

  20. I was shocked and saddened to hear of Jim’s passing. I am proud to have had the opportunity to work with and along side Jim during his time both as a trooper and a sergeant with the Highway Patrol. His agency and ours assisted each other on many many occasions here in Buncombe County. God bless you Jim and may God look over and after those you leave behind. Rest In Peace my friend, my thoughts and prayers are with your family.

  21. Jim was the greatest!! 100% gentleman. I worked with Jim when he work as a District Security Guard with the U.S. Marshals in Asheville. He will be greatly missed.

  22. We send our condolences to the wonderful family of Jimmy Baker. I remember Jimmy coming to visit my grandmother in his State Trooper uniform and I swear he looked even taller when we was in it. He was such a sweet and kind man. I wish the family peace and comfort during this time of grieving.

  23. We are so very sorry to see this news. What a super nice & class act. We were neighbors for years, what a great family! Our thoughts, prayers for strength are with the family. May God bless you all. Tedd & Gail

  24. Sheree, Robbie, Bradley and the rest of Jim’s family; it’s hard to believe Jim is gone. Many of us have shed tears for our loss, but also for your pain and sorrow. Jim was a great man, and his character shows in you folks every day! We are praying that you all will feel God’s comfort and His strength.

  25. Sheree and family we ere so saddened to hear of Jims passing. Our prayers are with you and the boys.

  26. Jimmy had so much influence with everyone he met. He and his dad influenced my decision to enter into criminal justice-law enforcement. He also guided and keep me straight, he always did the right thing! Your legacy lives forever Jimmy. Thank you for all the great times. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

  27. Robby and Family- Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you! We know how much you loved and respected your Dad. You made him proud.
    May God comfort all of you during this very difficult time.

    We love you,
    Chip, Kim and Family

  28. Vivian, We are so sorry to hear about Jimmy passing away. Our thoughts & prayers are with all of you.

  29. Vivan and family. . .Please except my sincere condolences for your loss. . .If he was half as good as your Dad at being a law officer. . .Asheville was in great hands. . .Prayers for each of you. . .

  30. Dear Baker family

    I know you are devastated! I never knew your fathers first name in my Household growing up he was fondly known as ‘BAKER’?. He was a good friend and wonderful co-worker that meant a lot to my parents. He was good to my father in the last weeks of his life and for this I am forever grateful.

    May you find comfort and peace in the days to come that only comes from grieving with hope of one day seeing him again.

    Sincerely,
    Paige Dowdle, daughter of retired Ln Sgt George M Dowdle

  31. Please know, I and my fellow Buncombe County Magistrates, will be keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers. His service, along with his father’s, and both sons’, is greatly respected and appreciated. God bless you all.

  32. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, Sheree. May God comfort you all and be right beside you. You are loved!

  33. Dear Sheree and Family,
    You’re in our thoughts and prayers during this time of great loss. My you all feel God’s presence in the days ahead. Sincerely, Jan & Roger

  34. Sheree, Robby and Bradley, I am so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing and I pray for God’s peace and comfort for you all. With heartfelt condolences,

  35. So sorry for the loss of Jimmy. I was a high school classmate and we had Freshman English class together. Sympathy to all the family.


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