Katherine "Katie" Louise John Baker
Katherine “Katie” Louise John Baker
June 5, 1941 — August 24, 2018
Katherine “Katie” Louise John Baker, born June 5, 1941, in Seattle, Washington, passed away peacefully on Aug. 24, 2018, in Dallas, Texas, at her new home in the Highland Springs Community. After a courageous three-year journey through multiple cancer diagnoses and treatments, but still never missing a beat to socialize with old and new friends, Katie is at peace.
Daughter of Brigadier Gen. Phillip W. John and Patricia A. Fiset John, Katie grew up traveling and living in many different places as a Marine Corps officer’s daughter. This probably set the stage for Katie’s innate ability to never meet a stranger, and to make lasting friends quickly.
On June 17, 1961, Katie married Peter A. Baker, a 1957 U.S. Naval Academy graduate, and continued to travel the world through family military service. Katie and Pete were married for 57 years and enjoyed many great adventures and memories.
Katie is survived by her husband, Pete; her two children, son Andrew J. Baker of Flower Mound, Texas, and her daughter, Anne E. Baker Peri, son-in-law Anthony B. Peri, and granddaughter Alden M. Peri of Allen, Texas; brother Phillip W. John Jr. sister-in-law Kathy Sharp John of Dallas, Texas; brother-in-law Michael Baker of Corpus Christi, Texas; sister-in-law Mary Baker Rausch and brother-in-law Frank Rausch of Aurora, Colorado, and multiple nieces and nephews on both sides of the family.
In retirement, Katie and Pete spent over 25 years living and thriving in Horseshoe Bay, Texas, making so many close friends and having some many wonderful experiences. Katie was very involved within the community and was the Republican precinct chair and chief voting judge for 16 years. She thoroughly enjoyed this role, especially since it gave her access to meeting even more new people.
In the end, she continued giving and decided to will her body to the UTSW Medical School in Dallas. There will not be a formal memorial service, per her wish, but the family will be coordinating one last dinner party in Katie’s honor in Horseshoe Bay for friends and neighbors in the near future. Details TBD.
