James W. "Jim" Baker, age 79 of Three Rivers, died Saturday, Dec. 22, 2007 at Heartland Health Care Center in Three Rives following a brief illness. He was born in Flint, MI on July 17, 1928 the son of Willard and Ruth (Coutourier) Baker. He was a graduate of St. Michael's Catholic School and the General Motors Institute in Flint. Jim was a U.S. Navy veteran, serving aboard the USS Shangri La during the Korean War. He was married to Kathryn "Kay" Kittinger on May 24, 1952 in Flint. Jim was employed by the Hydra-Matic Division of General Motors in Ypsilanti for several years. He was the project manager of the Three Rivers Hydra-Matic plant in 1981, and was the plant superintendent until his retirement. Jim was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church; the Three Rivers Rotary Club and recipient of the Paul Harris Award; served on the board of directors for Camp Wakeshma; served on the Three Rivers Planning Commission; a member of the Three Rivers Hospital Lights of Love committee; and was active in the Three Rivers Hospital Auxiliary. Jim is survived by his wife, Kathryn "Kay" Baker of Three Rivers; eight children, Suzanne (John) Mayer of Byron Center, James Jr. (Alicia) Baker of Milan, MI, Mary Carol (Tom) Clark of Schoolcraft, David (Jackie) Baker of Jupiter, FL, Daniel Baker of Garden City, MI, Linda Baker of Farmington Hills, MI, Martha (Tim) VanderHeyden of Edwardsburg, and Thomas Baker of Three Rivers; 13 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; 1 brother, David (Jean) Schopieray of Grand Blanc; 2 sisters, Alice (Jack) Welch of Traverse City, and JoAnn (Charles) Inman of Lake Leelanau; 8 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; and his step-father, Joseph Schopieray The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday at the Eickhoff, Farrand, Halverson Chapel in Three Rivers where the Rosary will be recited at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday. The funeral mass for Jim Baker will be 11 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 28, 2007 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Three Rivers with Rev. Father Mark Vyverman officiating. Military interment will be at Riverside Cemetery by Hice-Shutes American Legion Post #170. If desired, memorials may be directed to the Community Opportunity Center of Garden City, Lights of Love, or the Immaculate Conception School. Online register and condolences may be sent to www.efhchapel.com