Obituary of SGT Jacob Daniel Baker

It is with profound sadness that the family of Sergeant Jacob Daniel Baker announce his passing on Friday, July 21, 2023 at the age of 23 years.

Jacob was born on March 31, 2000 in Poughkeepsie, NY and immediately brought joy and laughter into the world. There is no doubt that Jacob lived life to its fullest. He was involved in countless activities, hobbies, and interests. He was naturally good at everything he did and dedicated to becoming the best. One of his many mottos was “Raise the bar.” He was courageous, adventurous, generous, and selfless. He was a natural-born leader, a coach, a teacher, a mentor, and an inspiration to many. He was magnetic and others were drawn to him, and he welcomed everyone. He was fun, silly, and full of energy. His vitality was contagious. He was a good and loyal friend and a best friend to many, especially to his “twin” sister. He loved deeply and was loved by so many. He was an extraordinary person and a beautiful soul who left an indelible mark on the world and those who had the privilege of knowing him.

Jacob met his soulmate in college in Daytona, Florida. They fell in love and, together, they led a life of adventure, exploration, laughter, joy, and love in the North Country of New York and the mountains of West Virginia where they were married. She was exactly what he needed in a partner and best friend and he was precisely what she needed and found in a soulmate. Some search for ages for the love that they found.

Jacob fell in love with the military as a teen when he volunteered his service to the Civil Air Patrol, US Air Force Auxiliary, where he earned the Billy Mitchell Award and the rank of Cadet 2nd Lieutenant, and served as the Deputy Cadet Commander and Cadet Color Guard Commander. Jacob was a scholar-athlete, a member of the National Honor Society, Roy C. Ketcham High School Track and Field Team Captain, and Section 1 champion pole vaulter, ranked 17^th in New York State. He was the 2018 USATF New York Junior Olympic gold medal winner for pole vault. He was chosen to attend the National Blue Beret (Civil Air Patrol) and American Legion Boy’s State. He was a NCAA Division II pole vaulter for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Jacob was a 2018 graduate of Roy C. Ketcham High School (Wappingers Falls, NY). He attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Daytona, FL) with a full Army ROTC Scholarship before enlisting in the U.S. Army in March 2019. Jacob completed US Army Infantry OSUT (Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training) at Fort Benning, GA. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, NY. His assignments include Automatic Rifleman and Team Leader in B Company (Blacksheep), 1-87 IN BN, Deployment: Kandahar Air Force Base, Afghanistan, and Fire Team Leader in C Company, 1-87 IN BN. At the time of his death, Jacob was assigned to Defender Company, 73d Ordnance Battalion, 59th Ordnance Brigade, Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.

Jacob is a graduate of Infantry School (Primary MOS 11B), Air Assault School, Basic Leader Course (Commandant’s List), Combat Life Savers Course, Combatives Level 1, and Phase I Explosive Ordnance Disposal School. His awards include the Army Achievement Medal with “R” Device and Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Good Conduct Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Air Assault Badge, Expert Marksmanship Badge: Carbine, and the Army Commendation Medal.

Jacob will forever be lovingly remembered by his wife, Mariah (Daffron) Baker, his parents, Vanessa and Michael Baines, his sisters, Samantha (Nicholas) Craig and Emma Baker, his brothers, Zachary Baker and Weston Baines, his nephew, Lucas Craig, and his niece Lily Craig, as well as his grandmother, step-siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins and countless friends.

Friends and members of the public are invited to pay their respects between 4:00 pm and 8:00 pm on Tuesday, August 8, 2023, at Straub Catalano & Halvey Funeral Home, 55 E Main St, Wappingers Falls, NY.

A memorial service for the family was held at Fort Drum, NY on July 28, 2023. A memorial service for the family will be held at Eglin Air Force Base on August 11, 2023. A ceremony with military honors will be held at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington VA, where Jacob will be laid to rest.