It’s a strange thing when a name as common as "John Baker" hits the news cycle or the local obituary pages. You see the headline, your heart skips a beat if you know a John, and then you start digging to see which one it is. Lately, there’s been a lot of confusion.
Actually, in just the last few weeks of January 2026, several prominent men named John Baker have passed away, each leaving behind a massive footprint in their respective worlds. It’s not just one John Baker death notice floating around; it’s a handful of them, and the stories behind these men are honestly pretty incredible. From a world-record-holding track star in Louisiana to a high-level telecom engineer in Indiana, the "John Bakers" we’ve lost recently were anything but ordinary.
The Record-Breaker from Jennings: Elzey John Baker Jr.
If you’re from Southwest Louisiana, you probably knew him as "John." Elzey John Baker Jr. passed away on January 13, 2026, at the age of 83. He wasn't just a local pharmacist; he was a bit of a legend.
Most people don't realize that before he was the guy filling prescriptions at the local drug store, he was a world-class athlete. While at Northeast Louisiana University, he ran track and was part of a mile relay team that actually held a World Record. Think about that for a second. A world record. He went from the global stage of athletics to the quiet, steady life of a community servant in Jennings.
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He spent 16 years on the city council. He was the longest-serving member of the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy. He was an Army veteran. When you read a John Baker death notice for someone like Elzey, you’re reading about a man who basically built the fabric of his town. He died at the Southwest Louisiana Veterans Home, surrounded by a family that includes five children and a small army of grandchildren. His service was held just yesterday, January 16, at Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church.
The Quiet Force in Indianapolis: John Edward Baker
Then there's the John Baker from Indianapolis. John Edward Baker passed away on January 12, 2026, at the age of 65. His story is a totally different vibe, but equally significant to the people who worked with him.
John was a tech guy through and through. He served in the Air Force as a Missile Systems Specialist—that’s not a job for the faint of heart—and then spent 25 years as a Field Engineer for Verizon Wireless. If your cell service stayed up during a storm in the Midwest over the last two decades, there's a decent chance John had something to do with it.
He was a fixer. A golfer. A guy who loved being outdoors. He leaves behind three kids: Lindsey, Jonathan, and Haley. His funeral is actually happening right now, January 17, at Little & Sons Funeral Home in Indianapolis. It’s a somber day for the "Circle City," losing a man known for quiet determination and hands-on grit.
Sorting Through the Global "John Baker" News
It's kinda wild how many John Bakers have made an impact lately. If you were searching for a John Baker death notice because you heard something about a famous writer or a business leader, you might be thinking of these two who passed late in 2025, as their memorials are still being held this month:
- The Publishing Icon: John F. Baker, the long-time editorial director of Publishers Weekly, died at 93. He was an Englishman who became the face of the book industry in New York. He was famous for walking through the city with his nose in a book, totally oblivious to traffic.
- The Australian Powerhouse: John Baker AM, a massive figure in the Adelaide business community and President of Surf Life Saving South Australia, died suddenly. He was only 55. People called him "JB"—a big man with a big heart who fought for his clients and his community.
Why the confusion happens
Search engines struggle with "John Baker" because the name is a statistical powerhouse. It’s like searching for a needle in a haystack of other needles. When you see a John Baker death notice, you have to look for the "anchor" details:
- Location: Was it Louisiana, Indiana, Washington, or maybe even France?
- Military Branch: Many of these men were veterans, but they served in different branches (Army vs. Air Force).
- Profession: Was he a pharmacist, an engineer, a journalist, or a professor?
The "Other" John Bakers in Recent Records
We also recently saw the passing of John T. Baker Jr. from West Mifflin, Pennsylvania. He was 63 and passed on December 12, but his memorial isn't until the end of this month—January 31, 2026. He’ll be receiving Military Honors at the Maloy-Schleifer Funeral Home.
And then there's Professor John S. Baker Jr., a legal scholar heavily involved with the Federalist Society. His death notice late last year sparked a lot of conversation in legal circles because of his work on constitutional law.
Basically, if you're looking for a specific John Baker death notice, you've gotta be specific. The "John Baker" who ran the 548th Engineer Battalion at Fort Bragg (John M. Baker, who passed recently in Illinois) is not the same "John Baker" who was a legendary managing editor for five different U.S. newspapers (John K. Baker, who died at 90 in France).
How to Find the Correct Information
If you are trying to track down a specific notice for a friend or family member, don't just type the name.
Honestly, the best way to do it is to include the city and the funeral home if you know it. Most families are now using platforms like Legacy or Tribute Archive, but local funeral home websites (like Miguez in Louisiana or Little & Sons in Indiana) always have the most accurate, first-hand details.
Next Steps for You:
If you need to send flowers or leave a note for any of the families mentioned above, check the specific funeral home websites listed. For the Jennings, LA family, visit Miguez Funeral Home. For the Indianapolis family, look up Little & Sons. If you're looking for the West Mifflin memorial, keep January 31 marked on your calendar for the Maloy-Schleifer service.