Arthur E. (Gene) Baker |
| Posted 2009-11-24 by Sharla |
| West Valley View, Avondale, Arizona April 13, 2007 Arthur E. "Gene" Baker, 86, of Litchfield Park died April 4, 2007. Mr. Baker was born July 5, 1920, in Lockwood, Mo., to Ruth and John Baker. He moved to Arizona in June 1936. At age 16, he was accepted into the apprentice farmers program sponsored by Paul W. Litchfield. He earned a land grant through that program and began a career as a farmer and cattle grower, operating near Luke Air Force Base and in the Mohawk Valley east of Yuma. Mr. Baker served in the Army Air Force during World War II as a waist gunner on a B-17 crew, and earned the rank of sergeant. Mr. Baker also served many years on the Dysart Unified School District Governing Board, and played a role in establishing the industrial arts program at Dysart High School in the 1960s. Mr. Baker retired in 1987, and was a member of First Baptist Church Garden Lakes. Mr. Baker is survived by his wife, Doris of Litchfield Park; three daughters, Carol Harbushka of Goodyear, Patty DeHaan of Lakeside and Debbie Zimmerman of Lakeside; one son, Douglas Baker of Prescott Valley; two sisters, Anna Cassady of Great Falls, Mont., and Marilyn Mercer of Tehachapi, Calif.; eight grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. A service will be held at 11 a.m. April 18 at First Baptist Church Garden Lakes, 2517 N. 107th Ave. in Avondale. The Rev. Jerry Dunn will officiate. Memorials may be sent to the church at the above address; or to the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org; or to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85014. |
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