Gerald Baker (Veteran)

Gerald Meredith "Jerry" Baker, age 73, of Chamois, passed away Monday, April 2, 2012, peacefully in his sleep surrounded by his loving family. Jerry was born July 28, 1938, in Kansas City, Mo., a son of the late Oral E. and Ruby (Lockridge) Baker. On August 24, 1961, Jerry was united in marriage to Patricia West at the Community Christian Church in Kansas City. A graduate of Raytown High School, he was an Air Force veteran. During his years in the Air Force, he was in the Strategic Air Command and worked at the underground Titan Missile silos near Denver, Colo. It was a job he loved. After leaving the service, he and his family moved to Linden, Pa., and he worked at Foltz Buick in Williamsport for five years. While at Foltz, he serviced the vehicles of Mr. Boiardi, the owner of Chef Boy-Ar-Dee food products. When Mr. Boiardi retired, he asked Jerry to move to Italy with him to continue to maintain his vehicles. Instead Jerry chose to move his family to Chamois, where his father grew up. He worked at Baker Chevrolet in Chamois for eight years and then opened his own business, Jerry's Repair Service, on the family farm. He operated this for 31 years until illness forced his retirement. He also raised cattle. Jerry was a member of American Legion Post #506 of Chamois. In addition to his wife, Jerry is survived by: one son, Joseph (Bonnie) of Chamois; one daughter, Meredith Baker of Jefferson City; one granddaughter, Trina Baker of Linn; two brothers, James Baker, his twin and Edward (Betty) Baker, all of Chamois; a father-in-law, Joseph West of Linden, Pa.; two sisters-in-law, Sherry (Dave) Palmer of Linden, Pa., and Sandra (Don) Kline of Jersey Shore, Pa., and many cousins, nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents and grandparents, Jerry was preceded in death by his mother-in-law, Cora West. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 4, 2012, at Morton Chapel in Chamois. At Jerry's request, there will be a private graveside service on April 5, 2012. This will be followed by a luncheon for family and friends at 12:00 noon at the Chamois Lions Community Center in Chamois as a celebration of his life. Those desiring may make memorial contributions to Goldschmidt Cancer Center. Arrangements are under the direction of Morton Chapel, Chamois, MO (763-5522) www.mortonchapel.com