Charley D. “Sonny” Baker, Jr. was born at home in Tahlequah, OK on June 21, 1934. He was one of twelve children born to Charley and Gladys (Stepp) Baker. He passed from this life at home and went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on March 11, 2024 at the age of 89 years.
Sonny married Sarah Lee Gladd on June 9, 1956 in Tahlequah, OK. He served in the Army for two years before returning home to raise his family. Sonny was a mechanic by trade. He worked for Kelly Brothers Garage and Champ Stauss at the Chevrolet Dealership. He later bought the Texaco Station and also had the U-haul dealership for 30 years. It was the place to hang out when the loafers, cowboys and friends were in town and the place to get the coldest pop.
Back in the day, Sonny had race horses, Star Baby, Dunnie and Rocket Blast. He enjoyed watching them run and would say, “He didn’t make much money, but he didn’t lose any either.”
Sonny is preceded in death by his parents, Charley and Gladys Baker, sisters, Eloise Jones, Maxine Brixey, Patricia Edwards and Virginia Gassaway and brothers Dickie Baker, Tony Baker and Johnnie Baker.
Sonny is survived by his wife, Sarah of the home and two daughters, Paula and Johnny Hobbs and Charlotte and Chris Hall, five grandchildren, Cari and Marcus Fears, Chase and Amanda Fisher, Kaley Woods, Jake and Carley Hobbs and Graci and Mario Davis, seven great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Sonny is also survived by his brother, Tommy and Linda Baker and sisters, Shirley and Buddy Phillips, Betty and Dell Hall and June Greenhaw.
The family would like to express a special thank you to Merry Carter, Jessica Garcia, Debi Mangus and Kimberly Travis along with Traditions Home Health and Carter Home Health in helping care for their dad. They would also like to thank Park Hill Baptist Church for their continued outreach for homebound church members.
A visitation for Sonny will be held Thursday, March 14, 2024 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Reed-Culver Funeral Home. Funeral services will on Friday, March 15, 2024 at 2:30 PM at Reed-Culver Chapel with Brother David Pride officiating. Sonny will be laid to rest in Tahlequah City Cemetery.
Serving as pallbearers are Jake Hobbs, Chase Fisher, Casey Baker, Jeff Phillips, Jimmy Greenhaw and Joe Dale Greenhaw. Honorary pallbearers include Johnnie Ray Fite, Danny Joe Baker, Sean Edwards, Ricky Gassaway, Randy Gassaway and Keith Baker.
