Gary M. Baker made “last call” on Thursday, January 16, 2025, at the age of 79.
God broke the mold after Gary was born on April 22, 1945. Perhaps no replacement mold explains Gary’s ability to go through several brushes with death successfully. He beat polio, cancer, and numerous accidents, as well as miraculously surviving three daughters through their teenage years.
During the girls’ formative years, Gary instilled in them an appreciation of old trucks, vintage cars, hard work, country music, and Paul Harvey. He also taught the value of properly-placed curse words, due to improperly-placed tools in his garage.
He was preceded in death by his father, Corneil Baker; mother, Vada (Eads) Baker; ’63 Corvette; several beloved pets; numerous Busch Lights.
Gary leaves his loving wife of 56 years, Donna (Varney) Baker; daughters, Kerri (Dustin Thomas) Baker, Kelli Baker, Kimberly (Jason May) Martens; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; a “spoiled rat” of a dog, Gidget.
Memorial Visitation will be from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., Thursday, January 23, 2025, at the Clinton Chapel, Snell-Zornig Funeral Homes & Crematory.
Burial will be in Clinton Lawn Cemetery, Clinton, IA, later this year.
Honorary pallbearers will be Ron Lucke, Tom Lucke, Don Lucke, Jim Lucke, Dustin Thomas, and Justin Wiersema.
Online condolences may be expressed by visiting his obituary at www.snellzornig.com.