Marion Knight Baker

Retired United States Air Force Captain, Marion Knight Baker, 82, of Goodyear, Arizona passed away peacefully on August 13, 2016 after a long, hard fought battle with prostate cancer and heart disease. He was born June 19, 1934 on a small farm outside Orange Township, Indiana to Thurman Earl Baker and Charlotte Estella (Robbins) Baker.

In 1955 he enlisted in the United States Air Force and served as a Bomber Navigation System Mechanic for 6 years and 8 months. During this time he met and married the love of his life, Deanna Bolin on May 27, 1956 in Andersonville, Indiana. April 2, 1961 he attended Officer Candidate School and graduated September 22, 1961 as a second lieutenant with Class 62-A at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. He went on to serve an additional 13 years, 4 months as a Missile Maintenance Staff Officer, with an important role in the Minuteman missile program, retiring in 1975 with the 394th Strategic Missile Squadron at Vandenberg AFB, California. He distinguished himself and earned the Air Force Commendation Medal for Outstanding Achievement, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Medal and Air Force Longevity Service Award. While serving in the Air Force he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Chapman University.

After his retirement from the Air Force, Mr. Baker joined the Santa Barbara County Sheriff Department for four years. He then embarked upon a career in the airline industry serving as a Station Manager at Golden West Airlines and Pacific Coast Airlines prior to joining SkyWest-Delta Airlines. He moved to the Phoenix, Arizona area in 1993, retiring from the airline industry in 1996.

At the age of nine, Marion accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior at the Pilgrim Holiness Church in Clarksburg, Indiana. In 1966, he rededicated his life to Christ and joined the Southern Baptist Church. He was a faithful steward, serving as a Deacon, Sunday school teacher, youth leader and member of the Campus Crusade for Christ ministry to support the young airmen serving at the Air Force base installations. He was a member of the First Southern Baptist Church in Avondale, Arizona and also attended Calvary Chapel in Surprise, Arizona. Mr. Baker was an avid fisherman, hunter, weight lifter, long distance runner and enjoyed hiking and panning for gold prior to the decline in his health. Surviving to cherish his memory are his wife of 60 years, Deanna (Bolin) Baker of Goodyear, Arizona and children Michael Baker (Melody) of Tucson, Arizona; Brenda Baker Brooks (William) of Goodyear, Arizona; Douglas Baker (Jennifer) of Tucson, Arizona; Kimberly Fitzgerald (fiancé Dave Scott) of Santa Barbara, California and Lawrence Baker of Avondale, Arizona. He is also survived by nine grandchildren: Benjamin Baker (Alinora), Adrianna Robinett (Virgil), Micaiah Baker (Jillian), David, Melissa and Moriah Baker, Jessica O’Connell (William), William and Nicholas Brooks and eight great grandchildren Hope, Thomas and Wisdom O’Connell, Jacob, Ezra, Ari and Catey Robinett, and Grayson Baker. He leaves behind two brothers David Baker (Dorothy) of East Moline, Illinois; Gerald Baker (Patricia) of Burnsville, Minnesota and two sisters Janet Feightner of Hazelton, Indiana and Charlotte Jean Cox of Greensburg, Indiana.

Marion is predeceased by his parents Thurman and Charlotte Baker, his brother Irvin Glenn Baker and his sister Esther Vea Emerson.

The family wishes to extend sincere thanks for the medical care provided by Dr. David Mendelson and the staff of Pinnacle Oncology, Dr. Adhar Seth and Dr. Steven Sumpter of Integrated Medical Systems, Dr.Guillermo Moguel-Cobos of Barrow Neurological Clinic and his caregivers Jennifer and Juve Garcia and Darwin and Marykris Bautista.

A celebration of life will be held at 3pm on Saturday, August 27th at the Palm Valley Community Center. Burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association.