Glenn Dale Baker of Akron Colorado died on his birthday April 14, 2015 at the age of 82. He died of natural causes at the Washington County Nursing Home surrounded by family and friends.
Glenn was born April 14, 1933 also in Akron, Colorado. He lived his entire life on the family farm 25 miles Southeast of Akron, except for one year in the Sterling Assisted Living Home and nearly 2 years at Washington County Nursing Home.
Glenn was the youngest son born to George Adam Baker and Minnie Iona (Pinney) Baker. He was 16 years younger than his brother Donald. Glenn spent much of his young life working on the farm or playing with his nieces and nephews. As a boy Glenn had a special bond with animals and loved to show people his latest pet.
Glenn attended West antelope school, which was just one and a half miles from his home. This is where he gained many of his lifelong friends. Glenn decided to leave school after 8th grade to help take care of his mother and work on the family farm. His mother Minnie had become ill and was requiring a lot of treatments and help. Minnie passed away from cancer in 1950 when Glenn was 17 years old. During his mothers long illness Glenn spent time staying with a number of relatives and friends. Glenn valued education, and later went on to get his GED. He later served 8 years on the Arickaree School Board and was instrumental in seeing that a quality education was given to the many students who passed through those doors.
Glenn often took his nieces and nephews to school at West Antelope and this is where he met his future wife Virginia Mae Wright. Virginia was the school teacher there and Glenn became a frequent visitor to the school. Glenn and Virginia were married in 1953 and started their life together, on the farm where Glenn grew up. Times were not easy starting out, and the farm was barely able to support them. Glenn often took on outside work for neighbors and at one time worked as the field man for the county assessor's office. Glenn worked hard slowly building a cow herd , buying land and building a new house and barn, until he established a farm that has sustained itself and provided for he and Virginia their entire lives. This farm now supports a fifth generation of Bakers.
Glenn was baptized at the Presbyterian Church in 1953. Glenn and Virginia were lifelong members of the Presbyterian Church and raised their family in the church.
In 1954 Sandra was born and the Bakers had started their family. Following soon after was Dale in 1955, Barb in 1959 and Chuck in 1964. Glenn was a great Father to his kids. He always found time to help them hunt lizards, build a science project or attend a school event.
In 1982 Glenn was offered the chance to have a part time job selling Pioneer seed corn. He laughed when they told him that he might need a warehouse and a forklift. He built that part time job into a full time job that needs two forklifts and three warehouses. For a guy that said he wasn't a good talker Glenn proved to be a good salesman. Receiving the top sales award in 1996 was something he was very proud of. Much of his success came from genuinely caring about his customers and wanting them to be successful. He retired in 2002, after selling seed for 20 years. He had many stories about his customers and the great times he had with them.
Glenn spent much of his later life chasing after grandkids. Glenn and Virginia were always willing to take care of a grandchild or take them to an event if their parents were unable. Very seldom did they ever miss a concert, ball game, track meet, boy scout ceremony or party. Glenn would get up early to get his full days work in so he could find time to attend a school activity for his grandkids.
Glenn and Virginia loved to go on trips. They went on a few cruises, trips to Branson, and many mystery trips with the Heritage Club. Glenn found some time for hobbies later in life. He loved old cars and enjoyed restoring his 1950 Plymouth. He and Virginia were able to take the car to a few car shows and parades and both loved going on drives with the old car club. Glenn also loved tractors. He restored a 44 Massey Harris and was able to compete in a few tractor pulls.
Unfortunately, Glenn's golden years of retirement were confused by Alzheimer's disease and many of his hobbies became too difficult for him. The disease was never able to take from him his love of family, his smile, and his sense of humor. He held on to those things his entire life.
He was preceded in death by his mother Minnie, father George, and brother Donald
He is survived by his children:
Sandra, husband Miles Clark, and their three children Norman (Stephanie) Clark, Lindsay (Andy) Walter, and Shane (Katie) Clark
Dale and his two children Krystal (Andy) Peeples and Kevin Baker
Barb, husband Melvin Mack and their daughter Anya (Sway)Covarrubias
Chuck Baker, wife Marla, and their three children Danica Baker, Colt Baker and Chase Baker
And 15 Great grandchildren.
Glenn will be greatly missed.
A funeral service was held Monday, April 20, 2015 at the First Presbyterian Church of Akron. Interment followed at the Akron Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association.