[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 24 (Wednesday, February 5, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E94-E95]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
APPRECIATING JOHN DAVID BAKER
______
HON. JOE WILSON
of south carolina
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, South Carolinians will
always be grateful and appreciative for the life of John David Baker.
The following obituary from the program of a Service Celebrating the
Life of John David Baker of February 4, 2025, assisted by Shives
Funeral Home, so thoughtfully highlights his achievements for the
community.
As the personal Congressman for John, and Republican Co-Chairman of
the Israel Caucus, I especially appreciate his devotion with the
American Israel Public Affairs Committee for the existence of Israel.
John promoted AIPAC continuing the family tradition of his father David
who was so appreciated by my predecessor, Armed Services Committee
Chairman, Floyd Spence.
John David Baker, a lifelong Columbia resident, devoted
philanthropist, and visionary leader in business and
community service, passed away on February 2, 2025, at the
age of 69 due to complications from Parkinson's disease. His
life was defined by an unwavering commitment to family,
faith, and the city he loved. He leaves behind an
extraordinary legacy of leadership, generosity, and
dedication to improving the lives of others.
Born in Columbia, South Carolina, on July 5, 1955, John was
the son of JoAnn and David Baker and one of five siblings. He
attended the University of South Florida before earning a
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Finance
from the University of
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South Carolina in 1977. Following in his father's footsteps,
John spent over four decades shaping Columbia's landscape as
a Managing Partner of Baker Commercial Properties (formerly
Baker & Baker), where he played a pivotal role in the city's
economic and commercial development until his retirement in
2021.
John's true passion, however, was giving back. His
commitment to philanthropy started early; in high school, he
started volunteering for the March of Dimes and served as
Teenage Chair for the Richland County chapter. What began as
collecting donations on Columbia street corners evolved into
a lifetime of leadership, earning him the Elaine Whitelaw
Volunteer Service Award in 2005, the highest honor bestowed
by the March of Dimes.
John was a driving force behind major initiatives in
education, literacy, healthcare, and Jewish causes. He served
two terms as Chairman of the Richland County Public Library
Board of Trustees, and following his tenure, RCPL was named
Library of the Year (2001) by the American Library
Association. In 1999, he founded Step Into Reading, a
statewide effort that provided more than 250,000 books to
children in need, and he was deeply involved with the
Richland County Public Library Foundation, the Richland
School District Two Foundation, and the Forest Lake
Educational Foundation.
His humanitarian efforts extended through his work with
United Way of the Midlands, where he served as Chairman in
2003 and was named Humanitarian of the Year in 2011 for his
leadership in early childhood education. He was also involved
in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the American
Cancer Society, and the American Heart Association.
John's civic engagement in Columbia included leadership
roles with the Lexington Medical Center Foundation, the
Township Auditorium Board of Trustees, the Federation Center
of the Blind, the South Carolina Council on Economic
Education, the Columbia Action Council, Columbia Jaycees,
Columbia Sertoma Club, and the Central Carolina Community
Foundation Board.
John's efforts were recognized with South Carolina's
highest civilian honor, the Order of the Palmetto in 2002.
His advocacy for Israel was equally significant. He served
on the National Campaign Cabinet for Israel Bonds, leading
South Carolina's first-ever $10 million Israel bond purchase
in 2002 and securing millions more in subsequent years. John
was honored with the Ben Gurion Award (2002) and Yitzhak
Rabin Award (2018) from Israel Bonds. He also served on the
National Council of the Amencan Israel Public Affairs
Committee (AIPAC).
John was a pillar of Columbia's Jewish community, serving
as President of Tree of Life Congregation, an active member
of Beth Shalom Synagogue, and an early supporter of Chabad of
South Carolina and the Columbia Jewish Day School. He served
as Columbia Community Co-Chair of the Jewish National Fund
and was active in Jewish Federations of North America.
Anyone who met John knew that his love of baseball and jazz
music were as much a part of him as his philanthropic work.
In the mid-1980's, he helped organize the annual trip by the
Atlanta Braves Caravan where players would visit children in
area hospitals and raise money for local charities. A devoted
Braves fan and avid collector of baseball memorabilia, he was
a longtime supporter of the National Baseball Hall of Fame in
Cooperstown, New York, where a donated portrait of his dear
friend, Hall of Fame pitcher Phil Niekro, remains on display.
His passion for jazz music led him to become a radio DJ later
in life, hosting ``Jazz in the City with John Baker'' on 92.1
FM, where he shared his deep knowledge and appreciation for
the genre with listeners across the Midlands.
In 2006, John was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, yet
he never let it diminish his spirit, humor, or generosity. He
continued working, mentoring, and giving back, inspiring all
who knew him with his resilience.
John is survived by his wife of 34 years, Marcie Stern
Baker, and their daughter, Gabbi Baker, of New York. He is
also survived by his siblings Kenny Baker (Sharon), Frank
Baker (Melanie), and Dale Baker, his sister- and brother-in-
law Beryle and Pierre Jaffe, and many beloved nieces and
nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, JoAnn and
David Baker, and his sister, Debbie Brookshire.
John's family wishes to express their deep gratitude to his
longtime caregivers: John House, Leonard Bailey, Marvin
Goodly, Darian Moorer, Chuck Baltimore, and John Hartley,
whose unwavering support brought him comfort and dignity in
his final years.
John's impact on Columbia and beyond will be felt for
generations; not only in the buildings he developed, the
institutions he supported, and the programs he helped build,
but in the countless lives he touched through his kindness,
generosity, and unwavering belief in the power of giving
back.
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