Ind. Dept. Pushing to Classify Cancer Death as LODD

PLAINFIELD, Ind. -- The community here is in mourning over the loss of firefighter and long-time Boy Scout leader Jerry Baker.

Baker lost his battle with gallbladder cancer and passed away Feb. 21.

He was a firefighter/EMT for the Plainfield Fire Department. He came on the department more than 20 years ago about the same time as co-worker Bobbie Dixon.

Dixon, the fire training officer for the department, said Baker will be missed.

"Jerry was one of those guys who did is work and never caused trouble," Dixon said. "He was just so easy to get along with. Sometimes you would just forget he was there because things went really smoothly when he was around."

Baker had battled prostate cancer and was cleared of that disease. He was then diagnosed with gal bladder cancer.

"He worked right up until he got ill last year," Dixon said. "We're now in the process of trying to get this named a 'line of duty' death. You see, firefighters are of much higher risk of getting prostate cancer. If he had died of prostate cancer, it would have been labeled a 'line of duty' death."

It will be important to the family if that designation can be reached, so Baker can be honored at the National Firefighters Memorial held each October in Emmitsburg, Md.

Baker was born and raised in Greenwood, graduating from Greenwood High School in 1977. He married Kathy Krebs Oct. 13, 1984. They have a son, Jacob, who got Baker involved in Boy Scouts of America.

"Jerry started helping with Boy Scouts when his son was in the first grade," Dixon said. "They've not missed a summer camp since."

During one of their camping trips, they visited the Boundary Waters and Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico.

During his time volunteering for the Boy Scouts, Baker earned multiple awards and ranks, including one of the highest -- the Minisino. A fourth honorary camp rank, Minisino is for those who have gone above and beyond the call of duty in service to scouting.

Jacob Baker achieved the honor of Eagle Scout. He graduated from Plainfield High School in 2007 and Indiana State University in '11.

"He just started working for the Boy Scouts of America," Dixon said., noting that he's working as a district executive for the Sakima District in Anderson.

Boy Scout troop 304 has been holding fundraisers for the Baker family to help with medical expenses. One is set for 5 to 7 p.m. tonight at the McDonald's restaurant in Plainfield, near Metropolis mall. No fliers are needed. McDonald's is donating a percentage of all sales during that time.

In addition to his wife and son, Baker is survived by his mother, Valera Baker; a sister, Angela Baker; and a brother, Norman Baker.

Services for Baker are 10 a.m. Friday at Plainfield Christian Church. Interment will follow at Maple Hill Cemetery in Plainfield. Calling is from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the church.

Memorials may be made to the Boy Scout Camp Krientenstein.

McClatchy-Tribune News Service