Jack Baker

Jack Baker, a beloved father, grandfather, brother, veteran, restaurateur, outdoorsman, and storyteller, passed away peacefully on July 20, 2025, at the age of 98. Born on Valentine’s Day, 1927, in Stafford, Oregon, Jack was the youngest of three sons born to Fred King and Ruby Dorothy Baker. He grew up on the family’s 125-acre farm near Pete’s Mountain, learning the values of hard work, self-sufficiency, and resilience during the Great Depression.

After graduating from West Linn High School, Jack joined the U.S. Navy in 1945 and served aboard the USS Norris during the final chapter of World War II, patrolling in the Pacific and Chinese waters. He returned home with a world of experience, ready to build a life.

That life began with Diane, the girl from down the road, who became his wife and partner in all things. Together, they raised five children and built a legacy rooted in love, perseverance, and delicious food. Jack got his start in the restaurant business working alongside his father at the famed Caro Amico before launching a dream of his own. With little more than vision and grit, Jack and Diane opened a tiny pizzeria near Grant High School that quickly became a neighborhood favorite. Outgrowing the space, they purchased and transformed an old gas station on NE 47th and Fremont into what would become a Portland institution: Amalfi’s Italian Restaurant. It was a true family affair, run with passion, hustle, and heart.

Jack was more than a restaurateur, he was an adventurer at heart. He taught his children how to hunt, fish, and be responsible woodsmen. He explored the wilds of Oregon long before GPS, trekking into remote areas most people still don’t know exist. He earned his private pilot’s license and flew solo to Alaska for hunting and fishing expeditions. A world-class trap and skeet shooter, Jack traveled across the U.S., Canada, and South America competing in, and often winning, competitions.

Through all of life’s changes, Jack remained grounded, tough, and quietly proud. Even in his final years, he never complained about illness. He often said he was “one of the lucky ones” to have a family that took care of him, and that family considers themselves the lucky ones for having had him. He taught by example: how to work hard, face challenges head-on, and find joy in simple things like a well-crafted tool, a perfect shot, or a home-cooked meal.

Jack was preceded in death by his beloved wife Diane and his brothers, Marion, and Kenneth, and his youngest son, Jackie. He is survived by his remaining four children, numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, his sister, and a legacy that will echo through stories told around dinner tables, campfires, and workbenches for generations to come.

A private family service will be held. In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to honor Jack’s memory by spending time in nature, supporting a local restaurant, or simply raising a glass to a life well lived.