Richard Jack Baker

Dick was born in 1928 in Kewanee, Illinois, to Herman Paul (Jack) and Martha Baker. The first of seven children, Dick learned the value of family by helping his mother care for his younger siblings, pushing buggies, bathing them and babysitting.

He attended Central School in Kewanee through the 8th grade. During his grammar school days, Dick and his brother, Bob, had paper routes, delivering The Peoria Journal every morning on their bicycles, throwing papers on the porch – most of the time. In 7th grade, Dick played the clarinet, but quit music in the 8th grade to play football. He loved sports and spent many childhood hours playing baseball and football in the park across from their home. After graduating from Central School, Dick attended Kewanee High School, where he played football for the Boilermakers.

A carpenter by trade, Dick acquired his skills from his grandfather and his father. At 12 years old, Dick began helping his father remodel homes. Because he was not allowed to work full-time construction until he became 17, the summer between his sophomore and junior year of high school, Dick worked on the section gang for the railroad. He boasted that he got a good tan and a lot of muscles. After graduating high school, he worked as an apprentice carpenter with his father’s company, Baker Brothers. He was paid $3.00 an hour. Later, Jack Baker and Sons construction was comprised of father Jack, Dick, and brothers Bob and Don. Together, they built many homes, apartments and shops in Kewanee.

Dick attended Bradley University in Peoria (where he also played football), and attained a degree in Architecture and Drafting. If studying and playing football were not enough, Dick also worked in the university cafeteria and worked on the loading dock at Caterpillar. While in Peoria, Dick met and later married Dolores Chew. They made their home in Kewanee, with their four children. Dolores preceded Dick in death.

While at Bradley, Dick joined the Illinois National Guard, and then the U.S. Army. In January 1952, his division was called into active service, and Dick found himself on a transport to Yokohama, Japan, and then to Koji Island, Korea. He went to Korea as a Corporal and was honorably discharged in May 1954 as a Sergeant.

Dick was active at the First Baptist Church in Kewanee, teaching Sunday School, and later becoming the Superintendent of Sunday School. A 32nd Degree Mason, Dick became Worshipful Master of the Kewanee Masonic Lodge in 1959. Dick’s father, Jack, and both brothers Bob and Don also attained Worshipful Master status at the Kewanee lodge.

In 1960, Dick moved his family from Illinois to Colorado. The family settled in Arvada, and Dick began his own business, Classic Construction, building custom homes. He enlisted the entire family as “volunteer” help, and his children learned some of the construction business. Dick said that everyone should at least know how to use a hammer, a screwdriver and a saw. His daughters mostly shimmed and washed windows, while his sons helped with the construction. Today, Dick’s son, Rick runs his own construction company, utilizing and furthering the skills passed from great-grandfather to grandfather to father. After retirement, Dick continued to use his craftsmanship to help others. He built homes with Habitat for Humanity, and he helped to rebuild lives and homes in Mississippi after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.

On a blind date in September 1972, Dick met Marie Bell, a reservationist for Continental Airlines. Thirty days, several dinner dates and a lot of talking later, Dick asked Marie to marry him. When she said “yes”, Dick had a diamond ring ready. He said he was “prepared” like the smart Boy Scout he was. Dick and Marie married in February 1973, and they became a happily blended family of seven children.

Dick and Marie’s honeymoon in Hawaii became the first of more than 30 vacations on the island. Another favorite destination was Mexico, and the couple enjoyed many trips to Cancun, Acapulco and Puerto Vallarta. As a special treat for Marie, Dick once took her on a First-Class flight to Los Angeles for a champagne breakfast, then a First-Class flight to Houston for lunch, then First-Class back to Denver for dinner.

A memorial service will be held for Dick at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 12, 2016, at Calvary Baptist Church, 6500 E. Girard Avenue, Denver, CO 80224. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to:

Bootstraps and Blessings

c/o Calvary Baptist Church

6500 E. Girard Avenue

Denver, CO 80224