Wenatchee World - Sunday, September 16, 2012

Tom V. Baker, Sr.

Monse, WA

Tom V. Baker, Sr., 92, a 69 year Monse, WA resident, passed away Sunday morning, September 9, 2012, at his home. He was born on April 16, 1920, in Okanogan, WA to the late Perry Baker and Nellie Douglas Baker Pichette. Tom was a husband, father, daddy, granddaddy, great-granddaddy and great-great-granddaddy. Tom left home at age 13, and supported himself with numerous occupations such as logging, mining, farming, breaking horses and working at the Okanogan Livestock Market. Tom married Pearl "Itsy" Smith on January 9, 1941 in Monse, WA and together they had six children, Kay, Dick, Debbie, Cindy, Tommy and Ann. In 1941, Tom and Itsy started the Baker Ranch and began acquiring farmland. Tom enjoyed geology, gardening, archeology, rodeo (for many years he participated in the Omak Stampede in calf roping and bulldogging), history and traveling. In 1958, Tom was the first farmer in Okanogan County to implement wind strips to save topsoil. Tom said that farming was his calling. Tom was instrumental in the research and compiling of the family tree. He especially enjoyed his children. He was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Brewster, former member of the Cattlemen's Association, Brewster Fire District, Rodeo Association, the Washington Wheat Association, and the Brewster Grange #1018. Tom voluntarily maintained the Ft. Okanogan Cemetery from 1994 until his death.

Tom was preceded in death by his wife, Pearl "Itsy" Baker; his son, Richard "Dick" Baker; his daughter, Arlene "Kay" Waddell; a great-grandson, Tim Cashen; and brothers and sisters, Olive (Truman) Moomaw, Leah (Joseph) Snider, William (Josephine) Baker, Eugene "Doc" (Mabel) Baker, Ruby Marie Baker, Irene (Lawrence "Spud") Cunningham, Pearl (Clyde) Freel, Victory "Bud" (Mildred) Baker, Lillie May Baker and Mary (C.B.) Hopkins. Tom is survived by his children, Debbie (Jim) Wheeler, Cindy (Ken) Hoke, Tom Baker Jr. and Ann (Mike Martindale) Rogers; grandchildren, Lynn (Pam) Cox, John Cox, Karen (Nick) Cashen, Hanna (Mike Bigelow) Wheeler, Tara (Chris Culler) Wheeler, Mandy (Calvin Eldred) Hoke, Rose (Dusty) Waddell, Jake Rogers and Rachel Rae Rogers; his beloved "Grand dogs"; nine great-grandchildren; nine great-great-grandchildren; and a sister, Mergeline "Merg" (Merle) Jackson.

Graveside Services will be held at Ft. Okanogan Cemetery on Friday, September 28, 2012, at 1:00 p.m., with Father Matthew Nick officiating. Tom's life will be remembered and honored at the Brewster Grange Hall, with dinner to follow. Memorials may be made to: Ft. Okanogan Cemetery, with checks payable to Tom Baker Jr., P.O. Box 687, Okanogan, WA 98840. Barnes Chapel, Brewster, WA, is caring for the family.