Gary Allen Baker

Gary A. Baker, age 86 and formerly from Lakeview, passed away on August 19th, 2018 at Home Place of New Bern, NC, where he was residing at the time of his death. He was born June 8th, 1932 in Lansing, Michigan, the son of Noel and Dorothy (Hazard) Baker, who preceded him in death.

He was also preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Ellen (Noble) Baker, sister Gail Bizer, and Ellen’s parents, Lachlan and Mildred (Andrews) Noble.

He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Dee and Alex Chavez of Hubert, NC, and his three sons: Neal and Beth (Wallace) Baker of Northbrook, IL, Eric and Kathy (Sutton) Baker of Columbia, MD, and Paul and Ines (Derer) Baker of Saline, MI. He is also survived by 11 beloved grandchildren, Sarah Chavez Daniels, Michael, Brian and Thomas Chavez, Caitlin, Aiden, Maggie, David, Daniel, Luke and Danil Baker, five great grandchildren, Oliver, Samantha, and Georgina Daniels, and Elayna and Tiago Chavez, nephews James Noble and Glen Bizer, niece Linda Douglas and his brother in law, David A. Noble (Alice) of Atlanta, GA.

Gary was a graduate of Benton Harbor High School in 1950 and attended Michigan State for 3 years where he was on the rifle team and enrolled in the ROTC. He was then admitted to the University of Michigan dental school. While attending dental school, he married Ellen Ann Noble on February 15th, 1957 at the United Church of Christ in Ann Arbor. Settling in Lakeview in 1958, he went into practice at the Lakeview Medical Center before developing his office adjacent to Kelsey Hospital. Gary loved living in Lakeview and was committed to serving his community where he was a member of the Lakeview United Church of Christ for over 50 years, served on the Tamarack Public Library Board for over 40 years and was also a Board member of the Bank of Lakeview for many years. He was very proud to support the construction of the current library building which he used frequently to fulfill his voracious reading habits. He was also a devoted member of the Lakeview Lions Club and served, for a time, on the town Council where he helped the community in its efforts to develop the Lakeview Airport. Gary was also an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed these pursuits with his family and friends.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 6, 2018 at the Lakeview United Church of Christ at 11 a.m. with Pastor Dave England serving as officiant. Visitation will be from 5:00 - 7 p.m. on Friday, October 5th in the Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Tamarack District Library, P.O. Box 469, Lakeview, MI 48850 or to the Lakeview United Church of Christ, P.O. Box 559, Lakeview, MI 48850.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.legacy.com/funeral-homes/north-carolina/new-bern/cotten-funeral-home/fh-13861.