Dr. Johnson J. Baker, III


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Jan 17th, 2013

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  • Death Date: Jan 17, 2013

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Biography: The life of Dr. Johnson J. Baker, III, came to an end on January 17, 2013 and he has now gone home to be with his Lord. He was surrounded by family in his home in Little Rock. Johnson, known as Poochie to his oldest friends, was born November 24, 1937 in Magnolia, Arkansas. Johnson grew up in Magnolia and attended Southern State College before going to the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. He was an honor graduate of UAMS in 1962 and he completed his residency at the University of Missouri at Columbia. Johnson joined Urology Associates in Little Rock and has cared for so many over his 20 years in medicine. He was committed to service including the US Coast Guard, Public Health Services, former Chief of Surgery at Doctor's Hospital, and Chief of Urology at St. Vincent Infirmary. His later years proved him to be a talented artist for Alzheimer's Arkansas. Johnson was a man of many life accomplishments who would want to be remembered most as a loving husband, father, and loyal friend. His love of life was evident in his exuberant smile, compassionate care for his patients, and competitive spirit on the back nine. He has shared a wonderful life with his wife Karen for the past 28 years. Johnson was a courageous man of quiet faith who has waited patiently for this day to come. In his words, "I figure I've had a pretty good life and will be going to a better place". Johnson is preceded in death by his parents Johnson, Jr. and Lois Baker. He is survived by his wife, Karen; son, Johnson IV (Josh); daughters, Dana DeMesy (Joe) of Dallas, Texas, Ashley Moore (Lee) of Little Rock, and granddaughters, Daniele and Jill DeMesy. A special acknowledgement of truly dedicated caregivers, Dr. Delbra Caradine, George Trotter, Lisa Major, and Dwight Smith for their many years of loving care. Thank you to Alzheimer's Arkansas, Arkansas Hospice, Robert Brikha, and Paula Keith for the support they have provided Johnson and his family. The family will receive friends from 4pm to 6pm, Sunday, January 20, at Ruebel Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held Monday, January 21st at 11:00am at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church with Reverend Lynn Lindsey officiating. Private interment will follow at Forest Hills Memorial Park. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home. On line guestbook at www.ruebelfuneralhome.com. Memorials may be made to Alzheimer's Arkansas at 201 Markham Center Drive, Little Rock, AR 72205, www.alzark.org.

Condolences(22)
Lance Stewart
#22
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Karen, it is with great sadness I learn of your husband's death. Please accept my sympathy and condolences in this time of loss. I pray the Lord will comfort you and your family and ease your pain. I wish the best for you and offer my support in any possible way that may benefit you.
Mary Boellner
#21
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Poochie and I were lab partners in organic chemistry at U of A back before I knew he was Johnson. But Poochie or Johnson, he was always a sharp and neat person and so fun. I have fond memories of the Poochie I knew then and the Johnson I saw a few years ago.
God bless you, Karen. May He be your strength and comfort and hope in all the days to come.
sarah Jane and Mose Smith
#20
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
What a wonderful guy! Thisconferences sums up the way we felt about Poogie... Those who knew him loved him.
Patrick Schmidt
#19
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Dear Karen and Josh, I was so sorry to hear about Johnson's passing, my memories of us all riding together will always be in my heart. He was such an outstanding man, a generous friend!
All your friends in this far-away country send their condolences and will always keep him in our hearts.
God bless you all!
Rudy Martin
#18
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
My deepest sympathy to "Poochie's" family. We were fraternity brothers at the U. of A., with him on the golf team & me on the tennis team. His enthusiasm was contagious! I have many fond memories of him.
Verna Dean Johnson Clark
#17
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
I am very sorry to learn of Poochie's passing. I also graduated from Magnolia High in 1955 and remember him well - especially his big smile. An article in a magazine some years ago featuring his painting brought him to mind at that time. My thoughts are with all of you at this difficult time.
Mimi Keenan
#16
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Karen & Family,

I am so sorry for your loss. Johnson was one of those people who you never forget. He touched everyone with his smile & his example. I'm sitting here on the West Coast remembering his smile. What a brave, talented, & gentle human being!

Love,
Mimi Keenan
Peggy Dismukes Rhoads
#15
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
To his family I send my love because I loved Poochie and he would have wanted that. Poochie and I were cousins, his grandmother on his mother's side and my grandmother on my father's side were sisters. Poochie and I never new our grandmothers as God called them home before we were born. I grew up with Poochie and we were good friends and just one year difference in our age. He was a great man, father, husband and doctor. God bless you his family. Peggy
Becky Semasek May
#14
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
During medical school we nursing students knew him as Poochie but as he became one of our family doctors--I didn't feel comfortable referring to him as Poochie, so it became Johnson Baker. He took such good care of all of us, especially my mother, we will be forever grateful. He was a very special doctor.
May he rest in peace.
Debbie Roach-McCuin
#13
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Karen, Dana, Ashley and Josh,

My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Many of my childhood memories include Dr. Baker!! He was one of my Dad's best friends and was one of my favorite people!! I never saw him where he didn't hug me and didn't make my day brighter with his contagious smile. His love for his family and friends was a shining example to myself and all the people that were lucky enough to know him...I am truly blessed to have known him and to have felt like he was part of my family and that we were a part of his! Thank you for sharing him with us. My love to you all...

Debbie Roach-McCuin
Nedra Ann Dees Seay
#12
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
I am most grateful to Dr. Baker's dear friend Ray Robinson for sending the funeral home link to many of "Poochie's" high school friends. Many of the classmates who graduated a year ahead of me have passed from my memory completely, but not him. He was such a part of the band and the school in general that I would not forget him, nor was I surprised to read of the wonderful life he led. He was always part of the "in" group but was friendly and kind to everyone. May the promise of our Lord, "Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted," be fulfilled in the lives of his family is my prayer.
Bob & Joy Marble
#11
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Karen & Josh, Dana & Ashley,
Karen & Josh, we did not get to know you, but we know you were both a blessing and a love in Poochie's life. Our prayers are with you and our hearts hurt with yours. Blessings.
Dana & Ashley, we, so well, remember you as small young ladies brightening things on Shamrock Drive. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and all the family in this hour of grief. Bob & Joy
Judy Glover
#10
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Karen, Josh, Dana and Ashley,
You are all in my thoughts and prayers. I worked for Dr. Baker for many years and he was an absolute joy. He had the most amazing smile and there were very few days that he didn't have us laughing with some funny story or comment. I have wonderful memories of those days and remember the girls and Josh as children that he loved so much. Karen, you were a treasure for him from the day he met you and I know that you all will miss him. I pray God's comfort for all of you.

Judy Garrison Glover
Carolyn Barton Marriott
#9
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Karen and family, I am sorry to hear of Poochie's passing. I was in the class of '55 at Magnolia High School and have fond memories of him. Poochie was fun and always smiling. He made an indelible mark in this world. He will be missed.
Susan Day
#8
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Karen, I am so sorry for your loss. Dr. Baker was a wonderful man and a great doctor. I really enjoyed calling on him and was sorry when he retired.

I have great admiration for you. I wish you peace during this time of grieving.

susan
Jim and Carolyn Manning
#7
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Dear Family,

There is no way to put into words how we felt about Johnson. He was such a loving and caring man, always offering his best to help others. We, and our parents, were patients of his, but, more than that, we considered him a good friend. He always lit up a room with that fantastic smile and we enjoyed being in his company when we attended golf functions and parties with him. We have missed those gatherings with him after this cruel disease took over his life and are grateful this suffering has ended for him as well as all of you. We will always have wonderful memories of the good times we spent with Johnson.

You are in our thoughts and prayers.

With love,
Carolyn and Jim
Camilla Ellis Robinson
#6
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
I had the privilege of managing the office at Urology Associates for many years. Johnson's life represented the very highest in wisdom,generosity, and integrity. There is little anyone can do or say at a time like this, but I wanted you to know that my deepest sympathy is with each member of the family.
Ray Robinson
#5
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Karen, Josh, Dana, Ashley and all of the family: Poochie and I go way back to the early to mid 1950's when we were MHS's golf team, the snare drum section of the band, and mostly just really close friends. Your support, love and care for this talented man for so many years as he suffered with this terrible disease is an inspiration to all of us. This same disease also took my baby sister Janis Baldwin several years ago whom Poochie also knew. I would love to share old Poochie stories with you someday, especially one on the golf course that took 13 stiches in my scalp to heal and another about how much it cost me to perfect his putting stroke. God Bless, and you are all in Marilyn's and my thoughts and prayers, ray
Dr. Doug & Sandra Ashcraft
#4
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
We have long time ago great memories of Poochie.
Ralph & KatymCloar
#3
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Please accept our deepest sympathy. "Poochie" was an extraordinary man and a "True Gentleman" in all his endeavors. He will be missed.

Ralph & Katy Cloar
Debbie Brown Welch
#2
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Karen and Josh I am praying for you
Dana and Ashley. I worked many years for Dr Baker at Urology Assoc. He was a great doctor as well as a friend. I have many happy memories of
working for him.
Charley and Vicki Williamson
#1
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

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