Kenneth Jean Baker
June 21, 1926 — August 31, 2012
Kenneth J. Baker
Kenneth Jean Baker of Toronto, passed away on August 31, 2012 at Eureka Nursing Center at the age of 86.
Kenneth was born on June 21, 1926 in Toronto, the son of Gerald William and Ednah Pearl (Wilhite) Baker. He attended the Miller school house until 8th grade (skipping 4th grade) and was the state spelling champion in 1939. He graduated from Toronto high school in 1943 and then served 22 months in the Army in France, Germany and Belgium. In which time he earned the Victory medal, American Theater Service medal, Army Occupation medal (Germany), European-African-Middle Eastern medal, Good Conduct Medal and the Combat Infantry Badge. After the war, he returned home to marry his high school sweetheart Evelyn Martha Harris on June 15th, 1947 at the Toronto United Methodist Church. They had one son, Kip Baker, born on September 25th, 1951. They lived on the family farm and converted it to a ranch in the 1960’s, where it still operates today.
He was a member of the Toronto United Methodist Church and even helped hand-dig the basement for the church in the 1950’s. He served on the Toronto School Board and was an active parent in the local 4-H and a lifetime member of the Toronto American Legion. He is survived by his wife, Evelyn and son Kip of Toronto, Kansas; two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, and infant sister Betty Mabelle.
Funeral services will be at 1:00 P.M., Tuesday, September 4, 2012 at Koup Family Funeral Home with Pastor Kevin Lawrence officiating. Interment will follow at Toronto Cemetery, Toronto, Kansas.
Kenneth Jean Baker of Toronto, passed away on August 31, 2012 at Eureka Nursing Center at the age of 86.
Kenneth was born on June 21, 1926 in Toronto, the son of Gerald William and Ednah Pearl (Wilhite) Baker. He attended the Miller school house until 8th grade (skipping 4th grade) and was the state spelling champion in 1939. He graduated from Toronto high school in 1943 and then served 22 months in the Army in France, Germany and Belgium. In which time he earned the Victory medal, American Theater Service medal, Army Occupation medal (Germany), European-African-Middle Eastern medal, Good Conduct Medal and the Combat Infantry Badge. After the war, he returned home to marry his high school sweetheart Evelyn Martha Harris on June 15th, 1947 at the Toronto United Methodist Church. They had one son, Kip Baker, born on September 25th, 1951. They lived on the family farm and converted it to a ranch in the 1960’s, where it still operates today.
He was a member of the Toronto United Methodist Church and even helped hand-dig the basement for the church in the 1950’s. He served on the Toronto School Board and was an active parent in the local 4-H and a lifetime member of the Toronto American Legion. He is survived by his wife, Evelyn and son Kip of Toronto, Kansas; two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, and infant sister Betty Mabelle.
Funeral services will be at 1:00 P.M., Tuesday, September 4, 2012 at Koup Family Funeral Home with Pastor Kevin Lawrence officiating. Interment will follow at Toronto Cemetery, Toronto, Kansas.
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