Dates
Jack Renne Baker was born September 19, 1943 in San Angelo, Texas to Rex and Dorothy Jarvis Baker. Jack R. passed away peacefully July 9, 2025.
Jack spent his childhood in Sonora helping his grandfather and mother on the Baker Ranch located between Junction and Sonora. There are numerous stories of his, and a few select others’, escapades during those early years. After graduating from Sonora High School in 1961 he attended Sul Ross State University where the escapades continued and are legends today. He did leave his mark out there. In return Alpine and the surrounding stomping grounds left a mark on his heart. Shortly after graduation from Sul Ross in 1966 he was drafted into the US Army and stationed in Germany until his return home in 1968.
Upon his return he started back to ranching, shoeing horses by the hundreds over his lifetime, and cowboying as he would say, “here, there and yonder doing this, that, and the other!” He reconnected with a Sul Ross classmate, Jacquelyn Wheless from Torreon, Mexico/ Menard, TX. Jack and Jacque. were married March 7, 1970. They moved to the Baker Ranch that fall and spent 55 years together ranching and dancing.
“Baker,” as he was called by many of his friends, was known for having good looking horses, hard working dogs, hard driving deals and a work ethic like none other. There are a few guys out there that got to ride along many a mile and shoe many a horse with him to learn the “Jack Baker way.” The name he treasured most was “Papa Jack.”
Papa Jack is survived by his wife Jacque., daughter Wheless Baker and Pete Calderon, Lewis Baker and family Monica, Ileana, Kate and Raully, numerous family members and friends. Jack was preceded in death by his father, mother, and sister Rex Ann Friess.
A special heartfelt thank you goes out to the Menard Manor and Morning Star Memory Care caregivers.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a favorite charity or Menard county 4-H, P.O. Box 485 Menard, TX 76859