Cover photo for John William Baker's Obituary
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1931 John 2020

John William Baker

February 14, 1931 — May 3, 2020

John William “Doc” Baker died on May 3, 2020 in his home in Durango, CO at the age of 89. Born on February 14, 1931 in Harrisburg, IL, he grew up in Carpinteria, CA. A standout three sport athlete in football, basketball, and track; John was enshrined in the Carpinteria High School Athletic Hall of Fame. He attended college at Stanford and Colorado State University (then Colorado A & M) graduating with a degree in veterinary medicine. He met his wife while they both attended CSU. He worked as a veterinarian for the State of California and the State of Wyoming before moving to Durango in 1965 and going into practice with Doug Melcher at the Animas Veterinary Clinic. He sold his practice in 1980 and became an over-the-road trucker and then later worked a number of places including the Colorado Insectory, Durango Transportation, and as a ticket agent for the local Greyhound bus station. John was a life-long St. Louis Cardinals fan and “baseball guy” and spent many years coaching and umpiring youth baseball. He fulfilled a dream in 2006 when he pulled a travel trailer to St. Louis and spent the baseball season living in the trailer and attending every home game for the Cardinals that year. As fate would have it, the Cardinals won the World Series that year and Doc was sitting in the stands to see it.
Surviving John are his wife of 64 years, Marilyn Baker; and seven children, Steve Baker, Matt Baker, Kevin Baker, Eric Baker, Heather Baker, Stacy O’ Shields, and Lars Baker. He and Marilyn have 19 grand-children and 10 great grand-children.

Wife:
Grace Marilyn Baker

Children:
Steven Grant Baker
Jon Matthew Baker
Kevin Sean Baker
Kermit Eric Baker
Grace Heather Baker
Stacy Karima O’Shields
Lars Nathaniel Baker

Grand-Children:
Richel Larson
John Baker
Candice Ingalsbe
Briar Baker
Brendan Baker
Lauren Baker
Kristin Baker
Zach Baker
Joseph Toledo
Daniel Toledo
Cyle Talley
Caitlyn Talley
William Baker
Sean O’Shields
Liam O’Shields
Thom O’Shields
Brid O’Shields
Satchel Baker
Ramsey Baker

Great Grand-Children:
Jaden Baker
Joshua Baker
Jon Baker
Cody Baker
Hailey Baker
Colby Baker
Kelby Baker
Lily Baker
Olivia Brehm
Madelyn Ingalsbe

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