Obituary of Ed Baker

Edgar Neal "Ed" Baker, age 80 of Idabel, OK passed away on Saturday, August 23, 2014 at Idabel, OK. He was born on December 11, 1933 in Lamar County, TX, the son of Emmitt and Nellie Irons Baker. Ed was a veteran of the United States Marine Corp. and proudly served his country during the Korean War. He received his Bachelors Degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Florida and was a life long Gator fan. Ed also had a Masters Degree in Business Administration. His work as an engineer took him all over the world during his career and he retired in 1999 from Jacob's Engineering. Ed moved back to Valliant, OK after his retirement. He was very civic minded and took an interest in his community serving as Mayor of Valliant. He had lived in Idabel, OK the last several years following his marriage to Linda Bell. Ed was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Idabel and also a member of the Idabel Country Club where he very much enjoyed the Seniors Golf on Thursday mornings. Ed took every task in his life very serious but none more than when he became Pawpaw to the grandchildren he received after his marriage to Linda. He took this responsibility very seriously and wanted to be the best Pawpaw he could be. And as in most things in his life, he was a success at it and his grandchildren loved spending time with him. Ed was a kind, loving, generous and compassionate man. He viewed everyday as a gift and lived life to its fullest never missing a chance to share. Ed would say "a missed chance will not happen again and cherish my memory by living your lives". He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; wives, Jeanne and Gayle; and brothers, Woodward Baker, Hurshel Baker, James Baker and Don Baker. Ed leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Linda Bell of Idabel, OK; a son, Kevin Baker of Asheville, NC; step-children, Kerri and Eric Eickel of Idabel, OK and Patrick McCracken and Rebecca of Round Rock, TX; grandchildren, Kaelyn Eickel, Alyssa Eickel and Ashley McCracken; sisters-in-law, Dorothy and Leland White; Sue Baker; Patricia Baker; Nellberta Baker; Kerry West Partridge; Penney Coyle; brothers-in-law, Olaf Amundsen; Robert and Saisri McCormick ;several nieces, nephews, many other relatives and a host of friends. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, September 14, at 1:30 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Idabel. In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to the Veterans Memorial Museum in Idabel or to Alzheimer's Research Foundation.