Nuestra Historia
I was born in Wichita, Kansas, to Perry and Roberta Baker. At the time, my father was attending Wichita State University on a football scholarship. My parents married during college, and I was born during my father’s senior year.
After he graduated, our family moved to Northeast Oklahoma, where I spent my childhood. Construction and craftsmanship were a part of everyday life in our family. My paternal grandfather, Grandpa Dover, was a developer and builder, while my maternal grandfather, Grandpa Cata, was a talented cabinetmaker. My father was an educator, but also a very skilled remodeler who spent time building several new homes.
From an early age, I worked alongside my father and grandfathers and was involved in the building process from the breaking of ground to the “turning of the key.” These experiences gave me a deep understanding of home construction from start to finish and laid the foundation for my future career in the construction industry.
After graduating from high school, I attended Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, where I pursued studies in Construction Industries.
Upon completing my education, I returned to the Fairland, Oklahoma area, where I started a family and continued working in the construction field. During this time, I began focusing on projects that modernized housing for low-income Native families. Our work centered on improving energy efficiency and making homes handicapped-accessible — what is commonly known today as “Aging in Place.” I found great satisfaction in helping families create safer, more comfortable homes for their loved ones.
Later, I was honored to serve as the Director of Modernization and Construction for the Housing Authority of the Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma. In this role, we managed and remodeled low-income housing projects in Fairland, Miami, and surrounding communities, while also building new homes for tribal members. It was deeply meaningful work, as we were able to support families in our region with safe and reliable housing.
In 1991, I was honored to serve a one-year term as Second Chief of the Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma.
In 1993, I relocated to Bethany, Oklahoma, where I founded J & L Construction, LLC. As our passion for remodeling continued to grow, the company name was later changed to J & L Construction & Remodeling, LLC to better reflect our focus and expertise.
In 2005, my wife Tina and I relocated to Edmond, Oklahoma, where we continue to enjoy life with our three daughters, one son-in-law, and eight wonderful grandchildren.
Thank you for taking the time to learn about our history and for your interest in our company. When you choose J&L, you can be confident that we will treat your project with the same care, craftsmanship, and dedication that have guided our work for generations.
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John R. Baker, Owner/President