Passed away peacefully at his Arizona home on Tuesday, June 19, 2012, at the age of 85 years. James is survived by and will be deeply missed by his wife, Arlene Baker of Scottsdale, Arizona and Fish Creek, Wisconsin. James was preceded in death by two of his children, Deborah and Scott. He is further survived by his children, James G. Baker Jr., (Deb) Ann Camillo (Chip), Laura Hoff (Hank), Jennifer Baker Johnson (Jeff), and Amy Wambold (Brian). He was a proud, loving and generous grandfather to Adam Baker, James G. Baker III, Ana Baker, Andrew Camillo, Alexa Camillo, Kimberly Hoff, Henry F. Hoff III, Katherine Johnson, Hannah Wambold, Haley Wambold, and great-grandchild, Cassidy Tollervey. He was the dearest brother of Nancy Janowski (Jerry). Also surviving are nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.James was born into this life on December 3, 1926 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the son of Oscar W. Baker and Ann Schaefer. Oscar Baker was well known for his orchestra, which was very popular at that time, while Ann was known for her beautiful tortes. A graduate of West Milwaukee High School, James attended Marquette University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. As a young man, James G. Baker demonstrated early entrepreneurial skills working backstage with musical productions, bringing the first black light unit into the State of Wisconsin. In 1949, James, with his mother, Ann Schaefer, and brother, Clifford H. Baker, purchased the Peerless Theater Corporation. He met his wife of 58 years at the theater when he hired her to work the popcorn machine. In 1956, James G. Baker bravely pioneered the void FM radio airwaves and established the well-known, beloved, and highly respected WFMR 96.5 classical FM music station. Arthur Fiedler, long-time conductor for the Boston Pops, listened to Baker's programs when visiting Milwaukee and read his program guides every month. James proudly printed these guides in the basement of his east side home at night after putting his many young children to bed.In 1950, James and his brother Clifford interviewed to purchase Curtis Ambulance Service from the original Curtis brothers and were chosen as the new owners. Curtis Ambulance, dating back to the horse and buggy days of 1858, is the oldest operating private ambulance service in the United States. The historic pictures are honored at the Corporate Office today.On Feb. 6th, 1970, James G. Baker, through Curtis Ambulance, provided the first civilian medical helicopter transport in the State of Wisconsin, the predecessor to Flight For Life. Curtis's many other achievements also include the first on-field Advanced Life Support response team in the NFL for the Green Bay Packers. Curtis was also a pioneer in high-risk neo-natal transfers for Wisconsin and the Midwest. This system remains in effect today. James Baker was proud to be elected as an original charter member of the Milwaukee County Emergency Medical Services Committee, which formulated the 911 system that has been in continuous effect since January 1, 1978. In 1982, Wisconsin Governor Anthony Earl, appointed James G. Baker Sr. as chairman of a special subcommittee to evaluate HMO practices regarding medical transportation management. In 1984, James and Arlene Baker negotiated the acquisition of Professional Medical Transport, Inc. (PMT Ambulance) of Phoenix, Arizona. Both Curtis Ambulance and PMT became leaders in developing and operating an Emergency Medical Transportation service that was conducted with integrity and a commitment to patient care. James was an avid life-long photographer who was proud to have some of his photographs published in the Milwaukee Journal, and shared his love and passion with many friends and relatives. He became part of the Leica family that gathered on the East Coast every fall.James Baker was a member of the Elks Club and the Brookfield Lions Club.Visitation at the Funeral Home, Tuesday, June 26, 4:00-6:45 PM. Funeral service at 7:00 PM. Burial at Holy Cross Cemetery.
