Phillip Gordon Baker

Phillip Gordon Baker, loving husband of Anna Maria (Piva) and beloved father. Born in Jonesville, Michigan to Lyle and Ruth (Kroh) Baker. He was the third child of five, and at the age of 84 was the oldest sibling to live to adulthood.

Phil grew up on a farm in Osseo, Michigan with his parents and siblings. He used to round up the cows on a tractor. One of his brother Mike's favorite memories, was of his older brother Phil out in the barn, switching out the transmission from one vehicle to another to impress an important date. Phil was a very private person during his younger years and remained so throughout his life. Though he kept to himself, he was one to help when help was needed. When the time came, Phil stepped up and taught Mike how to drive.

He graduated from Pittsford High School in Michigan, in 1952, where he played football and the saxophone. His love of music never stopped, he was very active with the Toledo Barbershop group while living in Toledo Ohio in the early 1970’s, and later became a member of the Fabulous Phoenicians, singing in a quartet in Phoenix, Arizona. Phil was a judge with SPEBSQSA (Society for the Preservation of Encouragement of Barbershop Singing in American). He attended Michigan State University, and became a blue-print designer. He also worked for the Ford Motor Company and Clark Equipment and retired in 1997 as a Tool Mechanical Design Engineer III from Honeywell International (previously Allied Signal Aerospace) in Scottsdale, Arizona.

He was very proud and honored to have served as a Private First Class with the United States Marine Corps Reserves from 1956 - 1960.

After retirement, he and his wife Anna Maria ran a Mailbox Etc. business in Chandler, AZ. Not one to sit idle, after selling their successful business, he continued working part-time as a home delivery driver for Minute Man Dry Cleaning and as a security guard for the retirement community where they lived.

He is survived by his loving wife Anna Maria, his 4 children Randall, Jaki Jo, Ronald and Daniel, and 3 step daughters of Anna Maria; Dolores (her husband Steve), Theresa (her husband Jeff) and Gabriella (her husband Tom), 2 grandchildren; Chantel (her husband John) and Rachelle (her husband Casey) and 5 great grandchildren, along with his two younger siblings, Mike (wife Karen) and Cara (husband Frank Osmin).

He was an avid golfer, and passed quietly watching the 2019 Memorial Golf Tournament with family members in Gilbert, Arizona. Phil will be memorialized at Valley of the Sun Mortuary & Cemetery in Chandler, Arizona. He will be missed by everyone he touched throughout his many years. Rest easy now Phil, we love you.

In Loving Memory

Phillip G and Anna Maria Baker

(Reception Following Inurnment of Ashes)

Please join us in celebrating the lives of Phillip and Anna Baker as we honor them at a special ceremony to place their ashes in their final resting place.

We will gather graveside at Valley of the Sun Mortuary and Cemetery, 10940 E. Chandler Heights Rd, Chandler, AZ on Saturday, September 7, 2019, at 10 am to 11 am.

At the ceremony, you will have an opportunity, if you’d like, to share your fondest memories of Phillip and Anna. We will also take a moment to present special military honors for Phillip's Naval service.

Afterwards we will be gathering at the home of Jeff and Theresa Clemmons, 5876 S Robins Way, Chandler, commencing at 11:30 am

We will be serving light refreshments (Italian Style in honor of Anna).

Please let us know if you are planning to attend either event by phoning/texting or emailing us at

Theresa - 480-392-0021/[email protected]

Dolores - 480-722-7193/[email protected]

Gabriella – 480-250-7450/[email protected]

We would appreciate hearing from you by August 26 at the latest.