James "Jim" Alvin Baker

After bravely battling prostate cancer for three years, James (Jim) Alvin Baker, affectionately known as JB or Uncle Jim, passed away at his home on January 22, 2025, surrounded by loved ones. This rare and beautiful soul was 64 years old.

Jim was loved for being an extrovert, endlessly pursuing fun, adventure, and new experiences. He was also loved for his character, charm, humor, intellect, authenticity, humility, and his unique fashion style. Jim was known for his parties and antics and willingness to try just about anything once. 

Jim was an avid outdoorsman and had a deep, personal connection with nature. From skiing, fishing, and hunting, to hiking, camping, and backpacking, Jim enjoyed decades of wilderness adventure. He loved the freedom (emphasis on ‘free’) of dispersed camping on forest and BLM land - tent, tarp or truck - he could be ready in an hour!  On his last backpacking trip in RMNP, he helped save a horse that had fallen 20’ downhill from the trail, a rescue that included cutting down a tree. Taking up fly fishing 20 years ago, he wet his line throughout Colorado, as well as Wyoming and Idaho, and always loved a float trip. You’d be hard pressed to find a trout in Colorado that didn’t know his name. He caught the rare and beautiful Yellowstone Cutthroat trout in the only two RMNP lakes where they are found. 

Ice fishing was an annual adventure, which often included ice bocce. He always kept a set of bocce balls in his truck and proudly held the title of X-treme Bocce Champion in 2014.

Jim was a lifelong learner and loved numbers and patterns – a classic ‘data guy.’ He studied Computer Science at Colorado State University and most recently delved into Data Science, and was always eager to study trends and share stock market tips and strategies. Jim was also a Wordle and Nerdle savant. 

Jim was known for his likable management style and drive to get stuff done. He worked in many tech companies, including Hewlett Packard, Red Hen Systems (business card title-Chief Omelette Officer), Techni-Graphics, Unify, and Linux Foundation. He was President and CEO of his own enterprise, Just Office Furniture - ‘The Furniture King’. He also volunteered at Larimer County Partners and the Forest Service in the Nordic Ranger Program.

Jim was a globetrotter, always passionate about exploring all that foreign lands had to offer – people, food, arts and culture, nature and gardens and much more. It was his low-key style that made it easy for him to blend-in with the locals.  His travels included Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Nicaragua, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Greece, Panama, Ecuador, Morocco, Austria, Canada, France, Costa Rica, the Baja, Thailand, Japan, Guatemala, Bolivia, Columbia, Peru, Chile, Venezuela, and Aruba. 

Chalet Baker - Jim’s cabin up the Poudre River Canyon - was a slice of paradise that he generously shared with family and friends. A base camp and retreat to relax, fish, hike, ski, play endless games of Jenga, Would You Rather…? and Othello.  There was also snowshoeing, playing bocce or darts, enjoying the hummingbirds and chipmunks, stargazing by telescope, target practice with the BB gun, and always accompanied by a hearty breakfast prepared by Jim.  Poker games (low stakes, high BS) complete with loud music, inappropriate language, and aromatic cigars, were also a staple at the cabin. Fittingly, at the cabin’s farewell poker party in 2019, Jim won the last game-GUTS-and at least $200.

He leaves behind his only child, Grace Baker Skelton of Austin, TX.  He is also survived by his sisters Cathy Baker of Alameda, CA and Sheryl (Trip) Ballard of Johnstown, CO. His nephew Samuel Ballard and niece Cassandra Ballard live in Aurora, CO, and niece Jessica Quinn Baker lives in Hermosa Beach, CA. His aunt Sandra Wallace lives in Boise, ID. He also leaves behind a large group of friends that will miss him dearly.

He is preceded in death by father Robert Baker, mother Lois Adair, and sister Jobie McDonald. 

In his memory, Jim would suggest that you pour yourself a favorite beverage and enjoy the beauty of the people and places around you. And don’t forget… keep your tips up and fish on!