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Chun Peng
I am Chun Peng, known as Penny to Professor Baker. I met him at the 2008 TFAS summer school at Hong Kong University and over the years benefited immensely from Professor Baker's wisdom and mentorship. He helped us at Peking University Law School inviting Justice Alito of the Supreme Court of the US to China. Professor Baker's dedication to education and his students, including me, will be in our memory forever.
Fran Goldstein
I knew John for the year he lived next door in my condo building in New Orleans. He would park himself in his chair every day right in front of my doorway because it offered the right amount of sunshine. We often had interesting talks--everything from religion to ideas about the Universe. John was a lovely person and I'm glad he was my neighbor. My boyfriend Warren joins me in saying we are sorry for the loss...John fought long and worked hard on his recovery. Love to Dayle and John's son who we met.
Matt Stillwell
I met John and Dayle while John was convalescing at 3201 St. Charles Avenue. I always enjoyed seeing John sitting on the walkway with the sun on his face in the afternoon. John always had a friendly nod and smile. I admired Dayle's dedication to John. Always making sure John had everything he needed. It was the model of what true love looks like. My prayers go out to the Baker Family. May you be comforted by the life and legacy that John left.
Lori Kennedy
My love and prayers for all of you. John was a beautiful soul and faithful to our Savior. There is no doubt he is in his eternal home of Heaven and will be with you here, in your memories. Dayle, I have witnessed your strong faith and a devoted caretaker these past few years. My deepest condolences to you and your family.
Matthew McGrath
Though I only met John one time I feel as though I've known him forever. I had the pleasure of meeting most of his children if not all of them at one time or another because of my family friendship with Garrett and Katie Fox. I envy John for creating his greatest legacy, his family. Their Faith, their size, their love for one another and their successes in life are true to what any father would want for his family.
Todd Robbins
Mr. John was an intellectual giant to me. I was blessed to be able to spend a good bit of time with him after his initial surgery, and I will always treasure the memory of our conversations. He always wanted me to tell him a story, and I always wanted to learn from the most educated and reasoned political and legal mind I ever met. I will miss our visits, and forever wish that I could have met him earlier in life and under different circumstances. I offer my most sincere condolences to Mrs. Dayle, their children, and extended family. He often expressed to me that he was “ready to go,” and I’m certain that he’s whole again and walking the streets of gold.
John S. Baker Jr.
2025-09-06
John S. Baker Jr. was born on October 21, 1947. Along with his five siblings, John was raised by John S. Baker Sr. and Marie (del Tufo) Baker in the suburbs of Detroit. After graduating from high school, John made his way down to the Lonestar state to attend the University of Dallas (UD) in Irving, Texas. During his first semester, John and Dayle Michelle Martin went on their first date, a Halloween Hayride. He knew he’d met the woman he wanted to marry! Upon graduating magna cum laude from UD, he returned home to attend the University of Michigan Law School. John and Dayle married during his final year of studies, leading to fifty-three years of marriage and the births of nine children (and two children lost in miscarriages).
The young couple soon embarked upon a new adventure, life in Louisiana, where John served as a federal court assistant district attorney in New Orleans, Dayle’s hometown. Before long, John joined the faculty of Louisiana State University Law School, where he was the Dale E. Bennett Professor of Law and spent most of his distinguished legal academic career. During this time, he also earned a PhD in Political Thought from the University of London.
Among the highlights of John’s professional life’s work are: two oral arguments in the U.S. Supreme Court; courses taught to thousands of students in more than a dozen subjects, especially in the areas of constitutional law and criminal law; academic visits and teaching in various capacities and programs both domestically and internationally, including seminars taught with Supreme Court Justices Scalia and Alito; numerous publications, spanning textbooks, books, law review articles, book chapters; and opinion pieces in major news outlets. John was a passionate and tireless teacher of the U.S. Constitution, especially its separation of powers and federal structure, and of related founding-era writings, particularly The Federalist Papers. John also found much joy in his long-time work with The Federalist Society and the many friendships cultivated over the years as a result. He also had an ardent interest in pro-life legislation.
John treasured his Catholic faith, family, and country. A word of worthy mention, John was also a Knight of St. Gregory. After suffering for several years with complications from a life-saving surgery, he died in peace on September 6, 2025. He is survived by his wife Dayle, nine living children - Michelle, Colleen, John (Br. Bruno, O.S.B.), Christine, Katie, Maria, Michael, Cynthia, and Christopher - spouses, thirteen grandchildren, his siblings Mary, Tim, Kathy, and Beth, and spouses.
Funeral Arrangements:
Sunday, September 14th, at 3 PM a recitation of the Divine Mercy Chaplet will be held followed by the Rosary at Oxley-Heard, 1305 Atlantic Ave., Fernandina Beach, FL, 32034.
On Monday, September 15th, at 11 AM, a funeral mass will be held at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, 201 North 4th St., Fernandina Beach, FL. Burial will immediately follow the mass, at Bosque Bello Cemetery. A reception will follow the burial at St. Michael’s Parish Hall. All are welcome.
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