GERALD HENRY BAKER
GERALD HENRY BAKER
Gerald Henry Baker was born May 12, 1926 on a farm two miles north and one mile east of Clearfield. Gerald was the second of three sons born to Ernest and Rosa Beck Baker. He died June 14, 2013 at Clearview Nursing Home in Clearfield.
Gerald graduated from Clearfield high school in 1944 and entered the U.S. Navy where he served his country honorably until discharge in June 1946.
On December 26, 1948 Gerald was united in marriage to Dorothy Jean Symonds in Lenox, Iowa. Gerald and Dorothy raised two sons on a farm two miles north and two miles east of Clearfield. Jerry Dean, born May 10, 1950, currently lives on this farm with his wife of 33 years, Mary. John Ernest, born July 2, 1963, is an electronics engineer and has lived and worked in England for over 20 years. Gerald and Dorothy were able to visit John in England on a couple of occasions. Gerald enjoyed seeing how farming was done in that country.
Gerald engaged in farming all of his life and saw many changes in that time. He also served on the Ringgold County Committee from 1958-1991. Gerald was honored with The Century Farm Award and accepted this honor on stage at the Iowa State Fair along with his grandsons in August of 2007. This farm is three miles north and one mile east of Clearfield and is currently farmed by Jerry, the fifth generation of Bakers to work this land.
Perhaps Gerald’s greatest joy were his grandsons, Caleb Logan and Ethan Daniel. He spent many hours teaching the boys about guns, hunting, wildlife and farming. He told them his stories of growing up on the farm and instilled in them his same love of this life and a strong work ethic. Both boys hope to someday be the sixth generation of Bakers to work grandpa’s farm.
Gerald also attended every sporting event or activity that his grandsons participated in. He was honored with a Best Fan award for his dedication to the Clearfield elementary basketball teams on which Ethan was a member. He also followed the race team on which Caleb was a pitcrew member and he and Dorothy became big NASCAR fans.
In 1999 Gerald and Dorothy moved to Clearfield. During this time in Clearfield, Gerald could be found every weekday morning having coffee and catching up on news at the Co-op. After his first stroke, Gerald liked to go to the Taygold Community Store for donuts or ice cream. He had a huge sweet tooth. After the move to town Gerald served as mayor for a two-year term starting January 1, 2006 where he will be remembered as a fair and honest man.
He is survived by his wife, Dorothy; sons, Jerry (Mary) and John; three grandchildren, Caleb, Ethan and Amelia, and a brother, Carroll (LeAnn).
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Earl and infant daughter, Connie.
A memorial fund has been established in his name to be decided later.
Services were held at the Clearfield Christian Church on Thursday, June 20, 2013, with Rev. Al Rusk officiating.
Musical selections included
‘In The Garden’ and ‘How Great Thou Art.’
Casket bearers were Caleb Baker, Ethan Baker, Craig Baker, Galen Baker, Marvin Baker and Dennis Doggett.
Honorary pallbearers included Harold Nelson, Clay Nelson, Chad Bolinger, Steve England, Charlie England, Doug England, Jerry Brown, Brooks Brown and Randy Deardorff.
Military Rites were by Woodside Post #97, American Legion ‘ Clearfield.
Burial was in the Clearfield Cemetery in Clearfield.
