Gerald Marion Baker

Baker, Gerald (Jerry) Marion, passed away on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at the age of 83 years old. Born on December 27, 1941 in Sikeston, MO. He was preceded in death by his father, Robert, his mother, Mildred, and his brother, Morris Baker. He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Catherine; daughters, Michelle (Terry) Welch of (Germany), Susan, of Baltimore, MD, sons Robert DuBois of Wichita KS., Kelly DuBois of Buhler, KS, Jason (Phalguni) DuBois of Derby, KS., Jeremy (Sabine) DuBois of Tri-Cities, Washington, and a brother John (Suzanne) Baker of Osage Beach, MO. Jerry is also survived by nephews, Matt (Erica) Baker, and David (Sonja) Baker; both of Texas and nieces Heather (Fred) Hynes and Courtney (Kevin) McRoberts of Osage Beach, Missouri.

Jerry was a graduate of Mexico, MO High School in 1959 and a 1963 graduate at the University of Missouri, Columbia, with a BS Cum Laude in Mechanical Engineering. He was an avid aviator who soloed on his 16 th birthday in 1957 and received his Private Pilot Certificate on his 17th birthday in 1958. He continued to advance his pilot career goals initially as a Flight Test Engineer and eventually as a Flight Test Pilot while working at several aircraft companies including McDonnell Aircraft, Cessna Aircraft, Swearingen Aircraft, and Interceptor Corporation over the period from 1963 through 1971. In 1972-1977 he worked as a Flight Test Pilot for Cessna Aircraft. In 1977 Jerry accepted a position at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Aircraft Certification Office (ACO) in Wichita as a Flight Test Pilot. In 1982 he became the Manager of the ACO Flight Test Branch where he served as an active Flight Test Pilot and Flight Test Manager until his retirement in January 2014. In this position Jerry received a number of awards from the FAA including the Administrator’s Safety Award in 2013 for his work within the FAA and with ICAO that resulted in significant changes in the pilot type rating training requirements for stall recovery in large transport airplanes. He received the very prestigious Wright Brothers “Master Pilot” award for 50 plus years of dedicated service in aviation safety in 2011. In 2011, he was also selected as Fellow in the Society of Experimental Test Pilots (SETP). At his time of retirement, he held an ATP MEL: B-757, B-767, CE-500, CE-650, CE-750, LR-60, LR-JET, N-265, and Commercial Privileges for ASEL, Sea, and Glider. Jerry had logged over 9000 flight hours and flown over 180 different airplanes. His love of aviation and aviation safety was apparent to all who knew him.

In his personal time, Jerry enjoyed private flying, sailing at Cheney Reservoir, and attending his grandkids’ sporting and school events. In retirement, family gatherings, and traveling were some of his favorite activities.

Open viewing will be 1:00 to 4:00 pm Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at Smith Mortuary, 1415 N. Rock Road, Derby, KS followed by a visitation with family from 4:00 to 6:00 pm. A celebration of life to be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, family requests donations be made to the Alzheimer’s association, 535 W Douglas Ave #150, Wichita, KS 67213.