James Wallace Baker

Surrounded by his wife of 44 years, brothers, sister, his children and grandchildren, James Wallace Baker, 79, passed away Sunday, Nov. 21, 2010, in Granbury, less than 20 miles from his childhood home. Service: The family will hold a celebration of life memorial in the coming weeks. Memorials: The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, contributions be directed to the American Cancer Society. Born in 1931 in Fort Worth, Jim was the third son of Frank Sloan and Claudia Patton Baker. Jim was an active member of Alcoholics Anonymous for 45 years, and his experience helped hundreds of others in their recoveries. For 11 years, from 1971 to 1982, Jim was the morning disc jockey on WBAP 820 AM Radio, which at that time was the most listened to county western radio station in America. His thousands of fans heard every day at the close of his show, "Smile. It makes the world wonder what you've been up to." That comment and his own smile were reflections of a man who was deeply loved by his family and countless friends whose lives he touched in so many ways, always with a humble heart. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Katie Aikens, and brother, Frank Sloan Baker Jr. Survivors: His wife, Kathy; son, James Patton Baker and his wife, Susan; daughter, Patricia Anne Trepte; son, Lee A. Woods. He was blessed with 11 grandchildren, Michael Aikens, Cody Trepte, Cami Findley, Christopher Haritos, Nicholas Haritos, Cassie Woods, William Woods, John Woods, Patton Baker, Hudson Baker and Mia Baker; six great-grandchildren; brothers, Dr. John Patton Baker and Joe Ned Baker and wife, Ruth; and sister, Julia Olive Stroud and her husband, Bob.