Obituary of John J. Baker

Dear Dad, Just wanted you to know that we have been missing you so much since you passed away on September 13, 2017. Jaime and I are working on your final instructions: no obituary, no service, ashes at sea, and no tears. I'm writing this letter as a non-obituary for you. Creative huh? I try to be like you. Well Dad, you lived 88 amazing years and almost made it to 89 (even though you said you've been saying you're 49-1/2 for the last 20 years...haha.) It would be impossible to fit your life into one page anyway. What a life you've lived! I wanted to post my favorite picture of you but somehow it has gone missing. That's ok, I can picture it in my head like it was yesterday. It was taken on the morning following the awful Loma Prieta earthquake. You were outside making toast for breakfast on a tiny cast iron charcoal Japanese hibachi stove. Smiling. Nothing could ever keep you down for long. You met all the challenges that life could dish out with humor, ingenuity, and grit. You survived the Great Depression, combat in the Korean War and countless adventures and misadventures all over the world. We will always remember your motto: "expect the unexpected." You called Monterey "paradise" and loved living here for 54 years. We will honor your request to send you on your new journey at sea with the blessings and hope that the currents take you to the places you loved: Alaska and Japan. Finally, your request for no tears is impossible but we are trying our best. We love you and will never forget what a wonderful Father and Grandfather you are. Hugs and Kisses, Your daughter Margaret Baker and granddaughter Jaime T. Baker PS: When you meet up with Mom, Toshiba Baker, my sister Linda Baker, my brother John Baker, plus all the Baker family and Fukuda family. Please give them all a hug from us, we miss them and think of them all the time. PPS: Don't worry, I'm going to fix the roof!!