[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

[[Page E95]]

     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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