BTHS AG Teacher

John C Baker was born August 18, 1922, in Equality, Gallatin County, although his obituary said he was born in Saline County. He was the son of Clarence and Ruth (Baker) Baker.   He served in the Marine Corps during World War II and on July 19, 1945, he married Elsie Mae Alvey. The couple had two daughters and one son.

John graduated with honors from the University of Illinois in 1948 where he received his bachelor’s degree in vocational agriculture.  He then taught at Bridgeport High School before returning to U of I to work on his master’s degree which he received in 1961 again graduating with honors.

He continued to teach at Bridgeport High School from 1949-1969. In 1951 he took a group of Future Farmers of America to the National Stock Yards in St Lous Missouri. After teaching one year at Olney Central College, he returned to Bridgeport as high school principal then when Unit 10 was organized he served as its first superintendent until he retired in 1984.

John D Baker, 67, died November 9, 1989, at the Richland County Memorial Hospital in Olney, Illinois. Burial was in the Bridgeport City Cemetery, Bridgeport, Illinois.