Tom J. Baker

Tom J.  Baker, age 75 of Salem, Indiana passed away Monday, April 25, 2022, in his residence.
Born October 2, 1946 in Talbott, Tennessee, he was the son of the late Rufus Baker and Georgia (Willis) Baker.
Tom graduated from Paoli High School, class of 1964 before getting his Indiana license of Cosmetology and opened the old Baker's Beauty Salon at the Hilltop Plaza in Salem.  
On November 26, 1966 he married Terry Jean (Bundy) Baker and they traveled all of the state while Tom worked for Singer Sewing Machine Company. One of Tom's proudest achievements was being sworn in as the 1st ever Republican to be Assessor of Jackson County by the then Governor of Indiana, Otis Bowen and was a former Sheriff's Deputy in Jackson County.
He was a member of the Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church in Orleans and was the owner/operator of Baker's Trucking before retiring from the Flint Trucking Company.  He loved the outdoors and his free time was spent bird and squirrel  watching and driving his old Ford Tractor. Tom loved all animals especially his devoted dog, Bentley.
Memorial Contributions can be made to the:
Washington County Humane Society / Salem Animal Shelter
204 Joseph Street
Salem, Indiana  47167  
https://humanesocietysalemin.org

Survivors include:
His wife: Terry Jean (Bundy) Baker; son: Todd (Missy) Baker of Salem;   
daughter: Tara (Jason) Kritzer of Salem; 3 brothers: Rolf (Donna) Baker and John Baker of Orleans and George Baker of Salem;  2 sisters: Martha Jackson of Salem and Joyce (Mark) Newlin of Plainfield, Indiana.
Grandchildren: Reagan, Grant and Bryce Rhinehart; Jude and Finn Kritzer.
He is also survived by several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by 1 brother: Clint Baker.  

Visitation: 4 to 8 pm Thursday and after 8 am Friday at Dawalt Funeral Home.   
Funeral Service: 11:00 am Friday at Dawalt Funeral Home with Rev. Dr. Steven Gorman officiating followed by interment at Crown Hill Cemetery in Salem.

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