Thomas L. Baker, 96, a longtime Altamont businessman, passed away at 1:50 a.m., Sunday, November 8, 2015 at the Good Samaritan Society in Parsons.
He was born June 2, 1919 in Albany, New York to Charles O. and Sarah (McGovern) Baker. As a young boy, he moved with his family to Oklahoma City where his dad worked in the oil fields.
In 1935, he moved to Altamont where he worked for his uncle. He then worked for Labette County until entering the United States Army on March 2, 1942. While serving in the Army, he spent most of his time in Papua, New Guinea where he worked as a mechanic. Upon his honorable discharge as a sergeant in December of 1945, he went to Great Bend and worked in construction before returning to Altamont. While in Altamont, he worked for Fentress Service Station and later as an apprentice electrician for Ernest Young when R.E.A., now Twin Valley Electric Co-op, came to Altamont.
In 1948, Tom and Joyce Baker were married in Winfield. In May of 1950, they became owners of the Texaco station on the west side of Altamont. They immediately built a garage so Tom could work on cars. In 1954, they built their home beside the station and, in 1973, built a new shop. Tom retired after 52 ½ years of commitment to his community.
He was a member of Masonic Lodge A.F. & A.M. #69 in Altamont where he served as Master Mason in 1959 and, in May of 2009, received his 50 year pin. He was also a member of the Brown-Bishop Post No. 704, Veterans of Foreign Wars in Parsons. Since his retirement, he worked once a month at the recycling center where he enjoyed visiting with his friends.
In 1985, Tom and Joyce were Altamont Flag Day Sweethearts and in March of 2006, they received the Lions Club Distinguished Service Award. Tom's hobby was his work. He especially enjoyed working on cars.
Survivors include:
Two Daughters – Jerry Bolen and her husband, Mike Altamont, KS
Vicky Haraughty Altamont, KS\
Five Grandchildren – Shelley Gardner and her husband, Mark Altamont, KS
Michelle Bernd and her husband, Danny rural Cherryvale, KS
Greg Haraughty and his wife, Hanna Altamont, KS
Todd Merrick and his wife, Kim Webb City, MO
Keli Hess and her husband, Chris Gardner, KS
Four Great-Grandchildren – Sloane Vance, Nolan Haraughty, Jake Haraughty, and Lauren Merrick
One Brother – Howard Baker Wichita, KS
One Sister – Carolynn Carr Fayetteville, AR
He was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce Baker, on February 13, 2012; two sisters, Louise Russell and Helen Hensley; and a son-in-law, Mitch Haraughty.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, November 11, 2015 at the First Baptist Church in Altamont. Burial will be in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7-8:00 p.m., Tuesday, at the Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Altamont.
Memorials are suggested to the First Baptist Church Awana Youth Group or the Masonic Fishing Derby. These may be left at or mailed to Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 325, Altamont, KS 67330.
Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Thomas L. Baker, please visit our flower store.
He was born June 2, 1919 in Albany, New York to Charles O. and Sarah (McGovern) Baker. As a young boy, he moved with his family to Oklahoma City where his dad worked in the oil fields.
In 1935, he moved to Altamont where he worked for his uncle. He then worked for Labette County until entering the United States Army on March 2, 1942. While serving in the Army, he spent most of his time in Papua, New Guinea where he worked as a mechanic. Upon his honorable discharge as a sergeant in December of 1945, he went to Great Bend and worked in construction before returning to Altamont. While in Altamont, he worked for Fentress Service Station and later as an apprentice electrician for Ernest Young when R.E.A., now Twin Valley Electric Co-op, came to Altamont.
In 1948, Tom and Joyce Baker were married in Winfield. In May of 1950, they became owners of the Texaco station on the west side of Altamont. They immediately built a garage so Tom could work on cars. In 1954, they built their home beside the station and, in 1973, built a new shop. Tom retired after 52 ½ years of commitment to his community.
He was a member of Masonic Lodge A.F. & A.M. #69 in Altamont where he served as Master Mason in 1959 and, in May of 2009, received his 50 year pin. He was also a member of the Brown-Bishop Post No. 704, Veterans of Foreign Wars in Parsons. Since his retirement, he worked once a month at the recycling center where he enjoyed visiting with his friends.
In 1985, Tom and Joyce were Altamont Flag Day Sweethearts and in March of 2006, they received the Lions Club Distinguished Service Award. Tom's hobby was his work. He especially enjoyed working on cars.
Survivors include:
Two Daughters – Jerry Bolen and her husband, Mike Altamont, KS
Vicky Haraughty Altamont, KS\
Five Grandchildren – Shelley Gardner and her husband, Mark Altamont, KS
Michelle Bernd and her husband, Danny rural Cherryvale, KS
Greg Haraughty and his wife, Hanna Altamont, KS
Todd Merrick and his wife, Kim Webb City, MO
Keli Hess and her husband, Chris Gardner, KS
Four Great-Grandchildren – Sloane Vance, Nolan Haraughty, Jake Haraughty, and Lauren Merrick
One Brother – Howard Baker Wichita, KS
One Sister – Carolynn Carr Fayetteville, AR
He was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce Baker, on February 13, 2012; two sisters, Louise Russell and Helen Hensley; and a son-in-law, Mitch Haraughty.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, November 11, 2015 at the First Baptist Church in Altamont. Burial will be in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7-8:00 p.m., Tuesday, at the Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Altamont.
Memorials are suggested to the First Baptist Church Awana Youth Group or the Masonic Fishing Derby. These may be left at or mailed to Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 325, Altamont, KS 67330.
Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Thomas L. Baker, please visit our flower store.
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