Ray Junior "Buddy" BakerTombstone Photo
 Sentinel Cemetery Sentinel, Washita County, Oklahoma

© KiowaGal

Mar 13, 1930 - Mar 27, 2011
Obit posted by Janet Laubhan Flickinger

 

http://www.havenbrookfuneralhome.com/

Funeral services for Ray (Buddy) Baker, age 81, a longtime Sentinel resident, will be held at 2:00 pm Thursday, March 31, 2011 at the First Baptist Church, 219 South 8th Street in Sentinel with Pastor Keith Gillham officiating.

Buddy was born March 13, 1930 in Moorewood, Oklahoma the son of Alfred Mathias and Ethel Edna (Speck) Baker.  He passed away early Sunday, March 27, 2011 at his home in Sentinel. 

Buddy traveled extensively as a child, moving to various communities in Oklahoma.  His education came from life experiences, as he never completed an entire year of education at one school due to his family relocating frequently.  By the 9th grade, he decided to venture out into the world and begin his life.  He had a fondness for trains, and at one point, hopped a train from Gotebo, Oklahoma to Mt. View, Oklahoma.  He often shared that had he not met and fallen in love with Betty, who was the love of his life, he might have liked being a Hobo for a while. 

After meeting Betty Duncan at the roller skating rink in Dill City, Oklahoma, it became clear that God had a different plan for him and the two of them were married on August 12, 1950.  Buddy and Betty spent the next 61 years living in Sentinel, where Buddy helped people with various tasks, but it was farming and ranching where he found himself spending most of his time and he made this his job in life.  Buddy had a particular fondness for horses and enjoyed very much teaching children to ride.  He enjoyed being in the presence of nature and animals, often remarking that it was a time that he could really see God on earth.  He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and gardening, but it was the time he spent with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren that brought him the most joy in his life.
Buddy was a Mason and a longtime member of the First Baptist Church of Sentinel. 

Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Betty of the home; one son, Ricky Ray Baker and his wife, Rhonda Kay of Sentinel, OK; one daughter, Treasa Kay Baker of Guthrie, OK; three grandchildren; Suzi Jo Fletcher and her husband, Keith of Garden City, KS; Jodi Kay Sassano and her husband, Chance of Frisco, TX; Jarod Ray Baker and his wife, Susan, of Sentinel; six great grandchildren; Kaylee Ann Baker, Jacob Ray Baker, Zada Brooke Baker, Elizabeth Ann Sassano, Ethan Wayne Fletcher, and Emma Blake Fletcher; two brothers; Charles Baker and his wife, Ruth of Woodward, OK; Wayland Baker and his wife, PJ of Tigeria, NM; and three sisters; Opal Ragan of Albuquerque, NM; Omega Perry of McCloud, OK; and Gwendolyn Stallings of Albuquerque, NM.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Eva Thomas; and one infant brother, Roy Baker.

Visitation for Buddy will be held at the Musick-Varner Funeral Home, 114 South 3rd Street, in Sentinel, OK from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm on Wednesday, March 30, 2011.

Burial will conclude in the Sentinel Cemetery under the direction of the Havenbrook Funeral Home of Norman, OK.

Online condolences may be shared at www.havenbrookfuneralhome.com