Guy Taft Baker Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Guy Taft Baker, beloved husband, father, grandfather, gr-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, passed away May 16, 2013 at the age of 82 from cancer. All who knew him would say he was a gentleman in the truest sense of the word and his kind influence was felt by all. He was born October 9, 1930 in Bicknell, Utah, to Claud Melvin and Harriet Ogden Taft Baker. He loved growing up as a farm boy in a small town. In his youth he drove logging trucks on Boulder Mountain. He graduated from Wayne High School, and attended Snow College where he was elected Preferred Man. While at Snow he met his sweetheart, Erma Tew. After a four-year courtship, during which they both were called to serve as missionaries in the New England States mission, they were married on April 25, 1953 in the Manti LDS Temple. During the Korean War he was drafted into the army where he was eventually assigned to the Army Veterinary Corp stationed in San Francisco. A graduate of BYU, he worked nights for the railroad to put himself through Dental School at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in San Francisco, graduating 2nd in his class. He practiced General Dentistry in Riverside, California for 5 years then attended USC for two years to become an orthodontist. He practiced orthodontics in Riverside and Escondido, California for 26 years. He donated many volunteer hours providing orthodontics to the Indian Health Council. He served as a member of Rotary International. He served in various church callings. He was ordained an elder by S. Dillworth Young, a high priest by Elder LeGrand Richards, and was called and set apart as a sealer by President Gordon B. Hinckley, serving as a Sealer in the San Diego and Provo Temples for 20 years, and had the privilege of sealing 2 younger sons and 10 grandchildren. He also served as a Bishop, Stake Missionary, Gospel Doctrine Teacher, High Councilman, and in the Escondido, CA Stake Presidency. He and his wife, Erma, served for 18 months in the Ohio Cleveland Mission acting as docents at the Newell K. Whitney store in Kirtland. Afterwards they built a home in Woodland Hills, Utah. He was one of the top volunteers involved in building the Woodland Hills Fire Station/Community Center. He was well known for his gardening skills, his fishing prowess and his dry sense of humor, which he retained until his death. Survived by his wife, Erma, his children and their spouses, Rebecca Lynne (James Davies), Lori Anne (Ray Walker), Bradford Guy (Angie), Keith Michael (Julia Davis), and Karen (Kent McBeth), 25 grandchildren and 26 gr-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters, Rene Alice Griffeths and Gladys Owens and a brother, Seth Claud Baker. Preceded in death by his parents, Claud and Harriet Baker, and his son, Richard Tew, and foster son Richard Wood. His funeral services will be held this Monday, May 20, 2013 at 11 am at the Woodland Hills Chapel, 220 S. Woodland Hills Drive, in Woodland Hills, Utah. Viewings will be held at the same location on Sunday, May 19, from 7 to 9 pm and before the funeral from 9:30 to 10:30 am. Following the funeral, the interment will be at the Vine Bluff Cemetery, 1250 N. 400 E., Nephi, Utah. The family expresses gratitude to all who were involved in his care. His powerful legacy will continue to be felt throughout the generations.

Guy Taft Baker

October 9, 1930 - May 16, 2013