Perry J Baker

Perry John (“Pete”) Baker, 85, a longtime Fairland resident and educator, passed away May 1, 2020 at Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He was born March 30, 1935 in Bernice, Oklahoma to Vent Ray and Jewell Alberta (Wynn) Baker. Pete married Arlene Roberta Cata on October 5, 1957 in Miami, Oklahoma. He went on to attain his Master’s degree at Wichita State University in 1958 in Industrial Arts. He was preceded in passing by his parents Vent Ray Baker and Jewell Alberta Baker Dover, two brothers Robert M.Baker and Billy R. Baker and his daughter-in-law Lea Ann Baker. Survivors include his love of sixty-three years Roberta Baker of the home, son John Robert Baker, daughter Nancy Arlene Charles & husband John Charles, grandchildren Kellie Ray Brady and her husband Charle, Carla Meshell Brake, Megan Kay Cooper-Beard, Kristina Belcher and her husband Nate, Rachael Pate, Dustin Charles and Jacob Charles, his great-grandchildren Anaya, Chloe, Walker and Beckham Brady, Preston and Lainey Brake, Jack and Henry Beard, Cole and Cade Belcher, Issac, Elijah and Emma Turner, Kaylee Pate, Jaylen Bassford, Isabella and Adelyn Rodgers, his brother Daniel Dover, and three sisters Olive Mae Goad, Patricia Carter and Phyllis Dover. Perry was given the nickname of “Pete” by his aunt Jane Philpott when he was a youngster. He and Roberta made their home in Fairland where they were both well-known and well-liked school teachers. He instilled a good work ethic in his children, John and Nancy. Pete wanted to help everybody; he had a great smile that he used to charm everyone, whether he knew them or not. That great smile even charmed Arlene Roberta he loved her eyes. He said that Roberta’s black eyes dance like lightning. He was a loving father and husband devoted to his family. He was a spiritual man and attended Hudson Creek Baptist Church in Fairland, Oklahoma where he accepted Jesus as his Savior along with his children. He also attended Southern Hills Baptist Church in Miami, Ok. He taught Driver’s Education, coached football, and coached girls and boys basketball. He had several winning girls basketball teams during his years of coaching. He enjoyed gardening and yard work as evidenced by the clean atmosphere of his country home. He would grow extra vegetables so that he could give them away. He was so generous to everyone. He enjoyed building as evidenced by the many homes he built and fine furniture, such as grandfather clocks, grandmother clocks, granddaughter clocks, hutches and cedar chests. He was very friendly and treated everyone fairly. You could always find him speaking with strangers. He had a good sense of humor and a smile for you. He liked having fun, telling jokes, teasing, and pulling jokes on family and friends. He also told many stories. He also played cards, such as Spades, Hearts, Pitch, and was very good at winning. He and Arlene were in a bowling league for several years. He liked frogs and collected many different types and shapes of ornamental frogs. He enjoyed fishing for crappie, catfish and spoonbill with his childhood buddies Chuck, Bill, Elmer, Paul, Junior, Wayne, Stanley, his son, daughter, nieces, and nephews. He noodled catfish with his bare hands. One of them was a 62 lb. catfish! One time his son John went with him and Elmer to noodle. John while in the water trying to get up his nerve asked,“Dad how do you know if a snake is in one of these holes?” Pete said, “You’ll know!” John said, “How?” Pete said, “Every hair on your body will stand up!” John left the water and never went noodling again. Pete enjoyed hunting quail with his son John & many friends and his favorite bird dog named Red. His friends and family always talked about how he was so fast on the draw and bagged more quail than anyone else. He loved spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren going fishing, camping, and having many fish frys with family and friends. In the summers we would always go on a two week vacation to see friends and new places: many camping trips to Roaring River in Missouri, Yellowstone National Park in Colorado, Glacier National Park in Montana and Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. He would always have a big fish fry at our Indian Ceremonial grounds every summer. It was our annual Green Corn Ceremonial time when we gave thanks for the plentiful harvests, children received their Indian names, we played games and visited with our relatives and friends for a week. Everyone knew that when Dad fried fish they wanted to come say “Hello” and eat with us. He truly enjoyed it and so did many of our tribal people. Pete was loved by everyone who met him. He was the rock in the family willing to help out family and friends. He was a great compassionate loving man and will be missed dearly. “DAD” I thank you, God, for my Dad, Who understood when things went bad; Who reigned supreme in his armchair And ruled our home from his throne there. A pillar of strength without a fuss, He worked day and night to provide for us. A Companion in my tender years, He molded my thoughts and calmed my fears. The backbone of our family—- This is “Dad” from our memory. We miss you Pete but we know that you are in Heaven with your family. In Arlene’s native tongue there are no “Good-byes” only: “Until we meet again.” Due to Covid the family was not able to have a service or visitation when Pete passed. There has been scheduled a Visitation on Saturday, May 7, 2022 from 2:00 PM until 5:00 PM at Brown-Winters Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Fairland. Friends and family can share notes of encouragement by viewing Pete’s Tribute Page at www.brown-winters.com.

Perry J Baker

March 30, 1935 - May 1, 2020