Dateline: Alton, IL
Jimmie Allen Baker, 77, died at 1:26 p.m. on Monday, August 26, 2024 at LaBella of Edwardsville with his daughters by his side. He was born March 4, 1947 in Alton, the son of the late Clarence Dean and Grace Dimple (Morten) Baker. When he was young, he had a love for music and played drums in a band. He enjoyed NASCAR and local stock car racing and was a definite Chevy man. He owned and worked on classic cars and was a member of the Good Guys. Jimmie also had a love for building and customizing model classic cars and had a collection of over 200 that he loved to give away to friends and family. He enjoyed morning breakfast with family and friends, and loved his dog, Harley Davidson. He loved to mow and often would mow neighbor's yards and also enjoyed spending time on his porch talking with them. Jimmie owned Jim's Auto Appearance Center on Alby St. in Alton and also worked and retired from Ray Gremli Chevrolet in Alton. On July 3, 1971 in Alton, he married Joyce Ann Pruitt, and she preceded him in death on September 20, 2018. He is survived by two daughters, Susan Padgett (Jeff) of Grantfork, IL and Ronna Haas (Dennis) of Wood River, four grandchildren, Kyle Haas, Nicholas Haas (Audrey), Zachary Haas (Marissa Knoche) and Cory Nash, five great grandchildren, one sister, Linda Thompson of Brighton, two brothers, Billie Dean Baker of Alton, Jay Cox (Tammy) of Godfrey. Besides his parents and his wife he was preceded in death by one grandson, Travis Nash. Visitation will be on Tuesday, September 3, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. until time of Memorial service at 7:00 p.m. at Gent Funeral Home in Alton. Reverend Phil Sadaka will officiate. Memorials may be made to the Godfrey Fire Department. Family and friends may view service information and leave condolences at www.gentfuneralhome.com