James Gerrett Bakker Obituary

James Gerrett Bakker
October 4, 1964 – July 5, 2026

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of James Gerrett Bakker, a beloved husband, father, brother, brother in-law, uncle & cousin, who left this world on July 5, 2026 surrounded by his loving family at age 61 after a long battle with cancer.

The youngest of three boys, he was born in Chilliwack, BC, to parents (Jacobus & Meip Bakker) who had immigrated from Holland in search of a new life. It was from his own father that he first learned the trade that would come to define so much of his life: carpentry that grew into a lifelong gift that he carried with him wherever he went - building homes in places such as Hawaii, Alaska, Japan, Missouri & across Canada before finally putting down roots in the Okanagan, where he lived for the last 28 years.

It was in North Vancouver that he met the love of his life, Ann, the two were married and not long after, they welcomed two daughters, Kayla and Samantha, and from that moment on, he poured his heart into being a loving father and husband. Over the years he found passion in building furniture for his girls and wife and then his later years he turned his skill toward crafting beautiful handmade guitars.

In recent years, he discovered a new passion: opals. He spent countless hours learning every step of the process, from mining, selecting, grinding to polishing. He and Ann loved to travel, one of their most treasured adventures was a three-month journey across Australia, driving from the west coast to the east - a trip that included a journey across the outback stopping at Coober Pedy & Andamooka mines where he was able to meet Phil who he followed on YouTube and was shown what it was like to be inside the mines, it was exciting that he was able to visit and learn first hand.

He loved his music, a good breakfast, and had the biggest heart for animals, but more than anything, he loved his family, always had us laughing. He was kind, gentle, and unwaveringly honest, a man whose quiet integrity and warmth touched everyone who knew him.

James will be deeply missed and forever remembered by his wife, Ann; his daughters, Kayla (Cyrus) and Samantha (Jason); and by his brothers, Rob (Brenda) and Mike (Anna Marie), his nephews and nieces and family in the Netherlands, and friends. His legacy lives on in the homes he built, the guitars he crafted, the opals he loved, and most of all, in the family he cherished so deeply.

Rest In Peace, we love you.