John Baker

While attending Cy-Fair High School, Coach Baker was a great Coach and mentor for me, at a time when I was tired of football, he convinced me to come back out and try again, he became my personal coach where I became a starter the rest of the season, he really meant a lot to me. After I was in the U.S. Coast Guard for 5 or 6 years, I had returned to the Houston area, and went to visit John at Cypress Creek High School where he was the head Coach, we had a great visit. After several years, I had lost the whereabouts of Coach Baker and wanted to see him before it was too late! I hope that he knows that there are several people that still think of him!

John was a giant of a man. I will not forget meeting him for the first time. He was moving to Corpus Christi to coach on the staff of Mary Carroll High School along with my then husband, George Hopper. They were part of Bill Hamrick's coaching staff. John came to our house for dinner and a visit. Of course the two coaches would share a longer visit. But over that initial meal (for which George had advised me to have more than enough to share) I learned of his wife, Judy, and their children John and Jeannene. Judy and I became fast friends and allies, as coaches wives are known to do, and our little boys looked up to the Baker kids. John, the son, always came to read our encyclopedias and other books, and Jeannene to play. Their mom had doctor's visits to attend to and first Jacque and then Jill were added to the lively Baker bunch. The Bakers preceded us to Houston, to CFISD. John encouraged George to make the move. George coached at JVHS, and John was at CFHS where I taught. In a time when I most needed support, John made sure I had it. When I was scheduled for a meeting with Principal Carlos Watkins, John made a point to sit in the waiting area for the meeting to end. He knew I was having a hard time adjusting to 'team teaching' and needed to resolve things. Our families had fabulous gatherings at the Baker house in Woodland Trails (brand new back then!) and our boys inherited the Baker bunk beds. Jacque and Jill were the rambunctious little ones back then. Judy served up great feasts and we gladly partook. She was the original Agatha Christie fan and super homemaker. George and John were busily talking football at every chance. We used to tease about their staying up all night talking strategies. Over the years, divorce and further moves separated our families. I last knew of John living somewhere on the San Bernard River, where Jim Meyer and I also had a home. Judy and I remained friends and retired as librarians. I knew Jacque was teaching in CFHS back when. Time has flown by. I shall not forget the good times, nor John Baker and his wonderful family. May John Outlaw Baker III rest in peace. Love to all his extended family. May God grant you peace.

I started school with "Jack" in 1944 at 12th School in Taylor, Texas. I graduated Taylor High School in 1956 with Jack. I always got along with him. I was not athlete so we were not close beyond just being together 5 days a week for 12 years. We knew each other. At every school function where the parents were invited, Jack's mother was always there being nice. Sister Mary was a couple of years younger so was excluded from our "older" clique..I do remember her driving an old car to school that had one spark plug missing... Brother Sam was in Thunderbolts Hot Rod Club with us. Not much he would not do.. They were/are all part of my extended family. I can say I knew a real Outlaw... John Raven Johnson City, Texas

I knew Coach Baker as a swim coach; he taught me to compete. I had never been on a sports team before that summer of my 7th grade year, and Coach Baker saw and developed my fierce competitive streak. After a particularly bitter loss, I pitched an embarrassing crying fit, but he told me not to be ashamed: "Kathy, if it doesn't hurt to lose, then it doesn't mean anything to win." In the early 70s, girls were not really supposed to be athletic, or competitive or aggressive, but Coach Baker nurtured my love of athleticism that quite literally changed the course of my life. My thoughts and prayers are with the Baker family;