Justin Michael Baker
December 8, 1980 ~ August 24, 2023
Justin Michael Baker, 42 of Indianapolis, passed away on Thursday, August 24. He was born on December 8, 1980 in Indianapolis.
Justin graduated from Warren Central High School in 1999. Justin heard the call to serve his country and joined the U.S. Air Force at the age of 18. Right after basic training in 2000 he was stationed in Japan for 26 months, after which he was stationed at Colorado. Justin volunteered to serve overseas several times throughout his enlistment. He first was Afghanistan where at the time he reenlisted after his 4 years, his second was southern Iraq, then Quitar and then Baghdad. Justin served 8 years in the Air Force, he continued services as Air Force reserve and civilian contractor for the Air Force. He rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was responsible for airmen and equipment on cargo planes.
Justin enjoyed bowling, fishing, surfing and cruising in his Jeep. You could find Justin listening to his classic rock music, watching classic movies, and reading scary stories. He had a huge collection of movie memorabilia and baseball cards.
Justin’s favorite thing to do was just hanging out with his friends. Friends were everything to Justin.
Justin is survived by his parents Steve Baker, Betty Heylmann Baker, brother Jeremy (Shannon) Baker, nieces Taylor and Stephenie Baker and several aunts and uncles and cousins.
Visitation for Justin will be Friday, September 1, 2023, from 2:00 – 5:00 PM at O’Riley Branson Funeral Service and Crematory, 6107 S. East Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46227. A Celebration of Justin’s life will follow at 5:00 PM.
Please visit www.OrileyBranson.com to share a favorite memory or to sign the online guest registry.
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John and Amy (Smith Fence) has purchased Beautiful in Blue for Justin Baker
Merchants Metals Family has purchased Eternal Love for Justin Baker
Kevin, Dottie and Family has purchased Lush Greenery Basket for Justin Baker
Willie & Jean Martin & Family has purchased Sympathy Garden for Justin Baker
Rick & Linda Alexander has purchased Beautiful in Blue for Justin Baker
To my little redhead, The words cannot be spoken, my heart will never mend. I will carry you there so dearly, until we meet again. I’ll wrap my arms around you and never let you go, God bless you and keep you safe, you are deep within my soul.
Baker Family,
I had the great pleasure of serving alongside Justin at Yokota Air Base Japan. Being his supervisor, I could not have asked for a harder working Airmen to lead. He was always the first to raise his hand and never complained about the task at hand. I will miss his infectious smile, his unwavering work ethic, teasing him about his once glorious mullet, and his mediocre surfing ability. He was a great Patriot, and I am so very honored to have known him. God Speed Port Dawg. You will forever be in our hearts.
Great friend, great co- worker, had lots of fun with this guy. Will be missed. Prayers for the family
God speed, fellow port dawg. Rest easy, mission accomplished. Never met, but as a veteran we all know each other.
We just were at the Dayton VA together. I am so sorry to hear this. Rest easy brother.
Rocky & Norena Baker & Family has purchased Peace Lily for Justin Baker
The Beatty Family has purchased Beautiful in Blue for Justin Baker
While words cannot lesson the loss felt by Michael’s family and friends. It is a privilege to have the opportunity to extent a deep appreciation for his sacrifice and devotion to the worldwide military airlift mission/service, which was vital to all branches of service. Heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathy to family, friends and those in his military circle. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. R.I.P.
I remember the first time I met Justin. It was 2005 and I was a whopping 6 months out of Basic Training and into my Air Force Reserve career. I was on my way to Baghdad with a group of Airmen from the 39th Aerial Port Squadron. My plane had to stop in Germany and we had a layover at Rhein Mein AB. I remember being like a lost little kid and sticking close to some of the guys in my squadron. We were walking around the terminal to stretch our legs and up walks this random red-headed Senior Airman that everyone seemed to know! Everybody was SO happy and surprised to see Baker! Little did we know, Baker was on his way home from Baghdad while we were inbound. He seemed so cool and knowledgeable to me and he gave us lots of good info on what to expect during our deployment.
Later in my career, a SSgt Justin Baker joined my reserve unit, the 39APS, and I would have the honor of deploying alongside him to Kuwait in 2011. He was a GREAT help to us because he was SO knowledgeable having come from active duty.
We set a record on that deployment. We launched every single aircraft that left Ali Al Salem, Kuwait during our 4-month deployment either EARLY or without a single DELAY 111 days in a row! Justin was the day shift loadplanner for those aircraft. Without him, us port dawgs wouldn’t know what to put on those planes or in what sequence, and the safest way to do so. That was all Justin. Picking up aircraft packets from Justin’s office was always a love/hate thing. I knew it was gonna be a damn good load plan and all documentation would be present, but let me tell you….Justin had that office pretty much to himself 72 hours/week and it didn’t always smell good in there….if you know what I mean. But he did always make me laugh. And we both are Colts fans. In fact, he may be my ONLY fellow Colts fan/buddy that I’ve met in the Air Force.
My deepest condolences to Justin’s loved ones. May he forever rest in peace. He was a good man and a damn good Airman. I am beyond proud to have called him a brother in arms. God bless. Sending love from Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado. -MSgt Kristina Marshall
Dear Baker family,
I am so very sorry for your loss. Myself and a fellow former airman, Michael Lenox, served with Justin in Japan and are planning to make a trip out to Indianapolis to pay our respects and we would very much like to get in touch with his family. If anyone, mother, father, other relatives would like to get in contact, please email me at: tinabeito@gmail.com
Thank you so much and love and sympathy to you all.
Tina Beito