John Baker

Obituary for
John Morris Baker

John Morris Baker passed away March 24, 2018 in Provo, Utah.

He was born March 31, 1921 in Thistle, Utah, to Elva Elizabeth Crawford and Harry Money Baker. His family moved to the Los Angeles area when he was about 5 years old, as his father sought better employment during the Great Depression. He graduated from John Marshall High School, Los Angeles, in 1939. After high school, he worked as a draftsman for Douglas Aircraft leading up to and during part of World War II. Because he worked for the war effort, he was deferred from the military until 1944, when he enlisted in the Navy and was trained as a Radar Technician. He served on the USS Goss, Destroyer Escort, from 1945-46, in the Pacific, but saw no combat.

John was a a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, all his life. The year before he enlisted in the Navy, he married his sweetheart, Donna Murphy, from Glendale, California, in the Salt Lake City Temple, for time and all eternity, May 3, 1943. They were happily married in this life for 73 years, until her death in 2016, and now are together forever. He was a worthy Priesthood holder all his life, serving in many church callings, including Sunday School teacher, Sunday School Superintendent, Stake High Councilman, Stake Presidency Counselor, Stake Patriarch, Temple worker in the Los Angeles Temple, and with Donna, Temple worker in the Redlands, California Temple.

After the war, John was able to go to UC Berkeley on the GI Bill, and graduated in 1951 with a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture. He provided well for his family all his life, working as an architect and contractor in the housing industry, an architect for Southern Calif Gas Company, an executive and owner of a truck leasing company, a partnership owning a travel agency, and many other investments and small business ventures. He was amazingly gifted at designing, fixing and building things, and at using every kind of tool. He enjoyed being active, participating in various sports throughout his life, such as golf, racquetball, water skiing, snow skiing, and working out at the gym (which he started doing after surviving an Aortic dissection surgery at age 86, prolonging his life another 10 years). In his midlife he learned to fly, getting his private pilot’s license and owning two airplanes, in partnership with his son-in-law, Gary. One of the highlights of his life was getting to travel the world with his beloved wife, and many of their friends and family. Most of their travels were by cruise ship, going to many continents, islands, and great rivers. John loved technology, keeping up with advances in computers and cellphones, and even being able to text message with family members right up to the week before he passed away.

John is survived by three of his four children, Judy Marilyn (Gary) Beck, son-in-law Wayne Wakumoto (husband of deceased daughter, Carolyn Jean), John Morris (Karen) Baker, Junior, and Colleen Joan Baker, as well as 12 grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. He is also survived by two of his five siblings, Betty Payzant, and Edna Wingerson.

The family expresses heartfelt gratitude to the amazing staff at Legacy Village Provo and the tender care of Canyon Hospice.

A funeral service will be held at Nelson Family Mortuary, Provo, on Wednesday, March 28, at 11:00 AM. A viewing will be held from 10:00am to 10:45 prior to services. The graveside service and internment will be at Covina Hills Forest Lawn Cemetery, California, date pending.