Fred Baker

Fred Baker, 79, passed away Friday, Nov. 18, 2016, in Seattle, Wash.

He was the youngest of seven children, born Dec. 5, 1936, in Nashua, Mont., to Forest and Ruth Baker, with five brothers and one sister. He grew up in Hinsdale, and soon after high school, he went into the Army where he served in the 234th Signal Corps based out of Fort Ritchie, Md. Unfortunately, he was injured in his right eye and was honorably discharged.

He was a teacher and salesman. He held a wide variety of jobs from Fuller Brush salesman to running a dance club (the Vipsigogo), to selling farm equipment with his brother, Dan, at Williston Farm Equipment. He received a teaching degree from Eastern Montana College and taught math and history. He and his wife, Lucy, both taught in Bainville. He owned Basin Bowl in Williston, N.D., for about seven years, but moved to Seattle in 1986 where he worked for over 20 years as a medical massage therapist.

He was first married to Marian Baird with whom he had two children, Cheryl Lynn and Pamela Susann. After that marriage ended, he married Lucy Belle, who ended up being the love of his life. They were married for nearly 48 years.

He was a deeply spiritual man who lived his faith in the way he interacted with everyone he met. He was joyful, respectful, silly, curious, and always ready for bowling and cribbage. He enjoyed novels by Clive Cussler and bluegrass music, especially the group, Crossfire.

While Fred is probably having the time of his life, those of us who knew him will truly miss him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Forest and Ruth Baker; and four brothers, Frank, Duane, Bob and Dick Baker.

Survivors include his wife, Lucy; daughters, Cheryl Baker (Narayanan Doraswamy) and Pam Wilson; grandchildren, Christine Koehle and Johann Koehle; siblings, Dan Baker of Williston and Fairy McWilliams of Bozeman.