James "Jay" R. Baker of Clinton, Missouri, formerly of Mexico, passed away on Monday, August 4, 2025, at his home.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 8, 2025, at Pickering Funeral Home in Mexico.

Visitation will be on Friday, August 8, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home.

Jay was born on June 8, 1941, in Thompson, Missouri, the son of Marshall and Georgetta (Mayes) Baker. On May 2, 1981, he married Cindy Yarbrough in Atlanta, Kansas, who survives.

He grew up on the family farm between Mexico and Paris. He was a 1959 graduate of Paris High School. Jay was a veteran, having served in the Army from 1963 to 1965, spending 13 months in the DMZ in Korea. After his service in the Army he worked at National Refractories in Mexico. Later he attended and graduated from Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) school in Tulsa. After graduation he owned and operated an airplane mechanic shop in Mexico for several years before joining ARCO as a corporate and pipeline patrol pilot.

Jay's life was embodied by his love for family, farming, and flying. Through all of his careers and business ventures he continued to farm with his brothers. His flying career as a pilot for ARCO was something he enjoyed immensely and he loved to tell tales about his many close calls. On his patrol route, Jay was the only pipeline pilot who survived from hire to retirement. During his pilot career he attained the ratings of Airline Transport Pilot, Airplane Multi-Engine Land, Commercial Airplane Single-Engine Land and Sea, Rotorcraft Helicopter, Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic, and logged over 10,000 hours.

Jay was a member of the Quiet Birdmen and the Clinton VFW Post. He also belonged to the John Deere and Case clubs. He could always be found drinking coffee with friends. He would often be found talking with someone about antique tractors, classic cars, or airplanes. He sometimes even surprised his family by bringing home a new "toy", sometimes it had four wheels and sometimes it had four legs. He loved animals, nature, and gardening.

Jay always made time for his children and grandchildren. His grandkids were always eager to take a ride on the golf cart with Papa Jay. He will be dearly missed, but with our family's shared faith, we are looking forward to being reunited again.

In addition to his wife Cindy, survivors include two sons Ryan James Baker (Meghan) of Springfield and Luke Jefferson Baker (Bethanie) of Ashland; one daughter, Sarah Jean Kernohan (Darby) of Calhoun; one brother Lee Baker (Pat) of Asbury, Mo.; two sisters-in-law, Virginia Ruth Baker of Mexico, and Virginia Lou Baker of Mexico; and seven grandchildren, Will, Nora, and Rett Kernohan, Freya and Ezra Baker, and Logan and Brenna Baker.

Jay was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Ronald Baker and Ed Baker; and two sisters, Motie Bradley and Annette Blackaby.

The family requests memorial donations be made to the Audrain Relay for Life or to Clinton Christian Academy. Memorials may be sent in care of Pickering Funeral Home, 403 N. Western, Mexico, MO 65265.