James H. Baker

JAMES HUGUS BAKER

89 of Springfield, Ohio, passed away peacefully on February 2, 2022, in Forest Glen Health Campus. He was born on August 12, 1932 in Springfield, the son of James I. and Clara (Phelps) Baker. He is a graduate of Hun Preparatory School in Princeton, New Jersey; attended the Babson Institute of Business in Boston, Massachusetts; and received the B.A. degree in Business Administration from Wittenberg University, in Springfield, Ohio.

James H. Baker started his career with Ringling Brother, Barnum & Bailey Circus at the age of 16 and eventually worked in Operations and Transportation during summer months while off from school. He gained expertise in Logistics and Railroad Operations as well as managing canvass and circus operations.

Mr. Baker was Executive Assistant to Ray Bliss, Chairman, Ohio State Republican Party as well as the Republican National Committee 1960-1969. He also served as Asst. Ohio State Treasurer during 1970-72.

Mr. Baker servedas Director of Operations for the Republican National Conventions in 1968, ‘72, 76, ’80, ’88, and ’92. In 1996, 2000, and 2004 he was Director of Logistics and Operations. He served as Vice Chairman of the Presidential Inaugural Committee in charge of construction of the parade route, the White House Reviewing Stand and the National Media Reviewing Stand. 2001 found him as Director of Parade Construction Operations.

Mr. Baker served as Director of Operations and Scheduling for the American Freedom Train from 1974-1976. He facilitated building the train as well as serving in this capacity for the entire 48 state, 22,000-mile Bi-Centennial celebration of the founding of the United States of America.

As President of JHB Enterprises, Mr. Baker provided government relations services to Fortune 500 Companies throughout the United States in addition to providing event planning, operations and logistical management services to a variety of public and private sector clients. He served as Conference Director for the Republican Governors Conferences from 1969 to 2004. Mr. Baker served as Vice-Chairman of the Presidential Committee in 1981, 1985, 1989, and 2000.

Mr. Baker was a long-time member of Covenant Presbyterian Church. He was a life-time member of The Association of Ohio Commodores, Inc. He served three terms (nine years) on the Clark County Historical Society Board of Directors and was selected to head the Grand Opening of the Heritage Center event in 2001.

Survivors include his nephews Paul Derrick (Edie) Young of Springfield, William (Colleen) Young of Huntsville, AL and James (Cheryl) Young of Tampa, FL; nieces Jennifer Young Battle of Jacksonville, NC, Barbara Baker (Robin) Cook of Lexington, KY and Sarah Baker of Cincinnati, OH. He is also survived by numerous great nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents, James I. Baker and Clara Phelps Baker, twin sister Dorothea Baker Young, and brother Peter B. Baker.

Mr. Baker greatly enjoyed time with family, managing and taking care of the family farm as well as his annual trip to Sarasota Fl. He took the same pleasure in farm upkeep and painting gates as he did regarding National Projects.

Memorial contributions can be made in Mr. Baker’s memory to The Clark County Historical Society/Heritage Center in Springfield or the Ringling Circus Museum in Sarasota, FL

Services to honor Jim will be Saturday, February 19, 2022 at 1:30PM in the RICHARDS, RAFF & DUNBAR MEMORIAL HOME. Visitation will begin at Noon. Burial to follow at Ferncliff Cemetery

Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.richardsraffanddunbar.com.