John Baker

John C. Baker, Lt. Col. USAF, Ret., 93, Satellite Beach, Fla., passed away Thursday, July 6, 2017.

John was born Nov. 16, 1923, in Carey, the son of J.?Forrest and Bessie Baker.

He is survived by sons William, Casey and Tedd; daughters Sally and Karen; a step-daughter, Sherry; 10 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Sadie Mae Baker.

He graduated from the University of Michigan in aeronautical engineering and then proudly served 20 years in the United States Air Force as a navigator in WWII?and the Korean War. John was transferred from the Pentagon to Patrick AFB in 1958, retiring in 1963. He was an engineer at Boeing before starting the PolyOleum Rustproofing business in downtown Melbourne in 1969. After his retirement from PolyOleum, he fondly became known in Satellite Beach as the Pepper Tree Man by single-handedly removing invasive pepper trees from yards and businesses for free.

He will be sorely missed and fondly remembered by all who knew him.

Memorial services were held at Beach Funeral Home, Indian Harbour Beach, Fla., on July 17. A reception followed at the Satellite Beach Recreation?Center on Cassia Drive.

In lieu of flowers, he requested a donation to a reputable veterans association be made.
Online condolences may be made at beachfuneralhome.com.