James A. Baker, 88, of Waterloo, died Thursday, March 30, 2006, at Covenant Medical Center of natural causes.

He was born Feb. 8, 1918, in Waterloo, son of Ralph and Cecil Quackenbush Baker. He married Irene Reagan July 2, 1939, in Waterloo. She died Aug. 6, 1998.

Mr. Baker worked at John Deere for 32 years, retiring in 1978, while working part time as a barber at Calkin’s Barber Shop. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II.

Survived by a son, Leon (Sherry) of Waterloo; two daughters, Diane Graham of Waterloo and Debra (Stan) Savage of Denver; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; a brother, Bruce of Boise, Idaho; and a sister, Edna Stacy of Waterloo.

Preceded in death by a brother, Clarence; and three sisters, Kathlyn Hile, Virginia Miller and Jean Gallagher.