Dr. Robert Johnson (John) Baker Jr.'s Obituary
Dr. Robert Johnson (John) Baker, Jr., 78, passed away on September 24, 2018, surrounded by loving family at the Haven Hospice E. T. York Care Center in Gainesville, FL. He succumbed quickly to an aggressive brain tumor. He was born in Mt. Lebanon, PA on February 18, 1940 to Robert Johnson and Elizabeth (Williams) Baker. John and Marjorie (Marge) Wixon began dating when they were both in high school in Wallingford, PA. They attended Denison University together and were married in June 1963. John attended Temple University School of Medicine and Temple University Skin and Cancer Hospital, becoming a physician with Board Certification in Dermatology and Dermatopathology. He had a private dermatology practice in Gainesville for 26 years.
John was a compassionate, gentle-man – both in his medical practice and in his family and community life. His activities included supporting his daughters and wife in all their activities, serving as a Big Brother, being a regular Life South blood donor, and serving as a Rockin’ Reader with the Alachua County School Volunteer Program. He was a long-time member of the Rotary Club of Gainesville and Trinity United Methodist Church. John enjoyed all things nature-related, especially walks and outdoor adventures with his grandchildren, riding his bike, working in his garden, and taking pictures of flowers. In their retirement, John and Marge were able to enjoy their love of travel.
The most important thing in John’s life was his family. He and Marge had 60 years together as best friends and the love and center of each other’s lives. He is survived by his two beloved daughters, Barbara Marcille (Tom) of Portland, OR and Kim Harless (Derek) of Jacksonville, FL. His six grandchildren were his constant delight, from their infancy to adulthood – Elliot, Grace and Luke Marcille and Tyler, Connor and Lindsay Harless. He is also survived by his siblings George Baker (Pam), David Baker (Frances), and Lisa Helland (Marc); his sisters-in-law Joanne Lutostansky (David) and Kathy Cobbs (Jack); and many very special nieces, nephews and cousins.
A memorial service for John will be held at Trinity United Methodist Church, 4000 NW 53rd Avenue, Gainesville at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 20, with refreshments and an opportunity to greet the family following the service. John spent the last four years of his life at The Village at Gainesville retirement community and he would be pleased to have any desired memorial gifts be made to the Associate Gift Fund, c/o The Village, 8000 NW 27th Blvd, Gainesville, FL 32606 to thank the many dedicated workers and staff who made his life so pleasant. The family would also like to thank the compassionate caregivers of Haven Hospice and Touching Hearts at Home, and the embracing comfort and prayers of Trinity
United Methodist Church.
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