OAKLAND TOWNSHIP, MI, June 26, 2020 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Marquis Who's Who, the world's premier publisher of biographical profiles, is proud to present Ernest Waldo Baker Jr. with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award. An accomplished listee, Baker celebrates many years' experience in his professional network, and has been noted for achievements, leadership qualities, and the credentials and successes he has accrued in his field. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Baker graduated from Smith Cotton High School in Sedalia, Missouri, in 1944. Prior to his graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Specialized Training Program (ASTP), after which he was inducted into the U.S. Army and sent to South Dakota State College. After completing two terms of engineering courses, he reported to Fort Hood, Texas, in December 1944 for 15 weeks of basic training. After basic training, Baker was dispatched to Camp Stoneman, California, and went on to join the 96th Infantry Division at Leyte Island in the Philippines.
Ernie Baker would see little fighting, as he trained on Mindoro Island for the planned Invasion of Japan. After two atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the Japanese unconditionally surrendered, thus ending the Second World War. In late October 1945, Baker was notified that he had been awarded a first alternate appointment to West Point. He returned to the U.S. by airplane and was given an honorable discharge preparatory to attending West Point. During Baker's time in the service he received nine medals, including the Bronze Star Medal.
During the interim time, Baker enrolled at the University of Missouri and graduated in 1948 with a Bachelor of Journalism. He never received the call to accept the appointment to West Point.
Baker married his college sweetheart, Joan Bauman, on September 4, 1948. They subsequently relocated to Michigan, where he began what would embark upon a lengthy career in advertising. The couple was married for more than 40 years, but Joan sadly succumbed to cancer in 1992. Together, they had two sons, through whom they five grandchildren and four great grandchildren. In 2002, Baker married Mary Lou Vlasov, who was a widow.
Baker initially worked on behalf of Zimmer and Keller Inc., and subsequently joined the staff of Denman and Baker Inc. in 1952, which had previously been the William Denman Agency. Upon Bill Denman's retirement in 1964, Baker acquired the agency, and renamed it as E.W. Baker Inc. Throughout the course of his exemplary career, he also managed the advertising of Standard Federal Bank (now Bank of America) for 46 years, Huron Cement (now Lafarge Cement) for 44 years, The Detroit Tigers for 26 years, Michigan Apple Committee for 22 years and three Divisions of the Stanley Works for 16 years. Other clients to Baker's credit include Awrey Bakeries, Stroh's Beer, Little Caesars, Vernor's Ginger Ale, and several major restaurant chains. In 1990, his agency was acquired by Omnicom Group Inc. and the staff and accounts were merged with BBDO Detroit.
During his professional journey, Baker served on the board of visitors for the Oakland University School of Nursing for 14 years, and chaired the Golden Mile Walk, which was a fundraiser for March of Dimes. He was a member of the Distinguished Clown Corps for 15 years, which assists in funding America's Thanksgiving Day Parade in Detroit. The National Association of County Parks recognized him as the Volunteer of the Year in 2001. Moreover, he was inducted into the Adcraft Club of Detroit's Hall of Fame in 2011, and bears an honorary Doctor of Business Administration from Cleary University.
In 1999, Baker's autobiography "A 50-Year Adventure in the Advertising Business" was released by Wayne University Press. After he retired in 2000 he authored the novel "My Brother Danny," which was published in 2006. He served as the commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 334 for six years and as an adjutant for seven years. Baker and his wife reside at Blossom Ridge, a senior residence in Michigan. His grandson, Reid Baker, owns a company that designs and produces men's clothing, which takes its name from his storied grandfather; Ernest W. Baker.
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