John Baker AM ESM was a larger-than-life character who has left a big impression upon the world. His loss will be felt deeply by all those he forged strong bonds with. The many men and women in the armed forces, surf lifesaving, the Adelaide advertising industry, and the ever-evolving KWP family, of which I am part of.

Of course, his beloved family will miss him most. Their pain will be the keenest. My sincere and heartfelt condolences to his wife Jo and children, Harry, Kate and Annabel.

People will remember with great fondness his raucous renditions of Rawhide and the Love Boat theme song. Many tales will be told about his bawdy jokes and politically incorrect sense of humour. There are so many ‘JB stories’ they could fill a book. Or two.

Professionally, passion and persistence were his hallmarks. Early in his career at KWP he was sacked but showed up for work the next day. He refused to accept the decision and kept on working. I guess it was easy to let him stay than attempt to manhandle him out the door.

As a creative team, Kev MacNamara and I would pin ideas on the wall we thought worthy. There was one proactive idea that caught JB’s attention. “If only there was someone good enough to sell the idea” we’d say. Rightly offended, he’d storm off and go pitch the ad to the client. He came back empty handed. And we’d remind him of his failing every time he walked past. He tried and failed several times for weeks and weeks but never gave up. Eventually, he sold it. It went on to win the AADC Gold Chair.

That’s what he was like. If the cause was worthy, he was like a dog with a bone. He refused to give in. Never backed down. In fact, he got a broken nose sticking up for me. But that’s a tale best left for another time.

He came in one day to tell me we’d be going to Vienna. He then explained all we had to do was come up with a competition-winning idea to promote the European Championships being broadcast on SBS. When I say we, he meant me. He was adamant we were going to win. Not winning was never a consideration. With the help of great photographer and good friend, Richard Lyons, I managed to cobble together something that secured us a trip to watch Spain beat Russia 3-0 in the semi-final.

Once in the Austrian capital, he insisted we eat a schnitzel every day. We got lost in a forest. Drenched in a storm. We laughed a lot. Drank too much, and he revealed his hitherto hidden passion for contemporary art and classical music. There was always asurprise with JB.

He was a gentle giant, with a mischievous glint in his good eye.

They didn’t break the mould when they made him, they shattered it.

Our relationship wasn’t always smooth sailing, but the great moments far outshone the bad.

I’ll miss you mate.

James Rickard