Larry Wilbern Baker

Larry Wilbern Baker, was born on January 31, 1955 in La Junta to Elvis
& Doris (States) Baker, he was the second of three children and the first
son. As told by Elvis he was always fearless and never cried. Elvis often
states “Larry was always my little man.”
 
Growing up Larry enjoyed visiting his grandparents and uncles in Olney
Springs. Larry often spoke of playing with cousins, hunting, farming and riding
horses during these visits.
 
Larry attended school and graduated from Rocky Ford High School, Class
of 1973. He met his future wife Kim at the La Junta Church of Christ and on
December 14th 1975 married the love of his live. They made their
home in La Junta and there they raised their two children Lanette and Shane. 
 
He was employed for 17 years
at the Otero County Road and Bridge and 5 years for Tri County Housing. He
owned Baker’s Pawn in Rocky Ford for 10 years and Baker’s Construction for over
30 years.
 
He was deeply loved by his
family and has left them with many happy memories of their time together.
Memories of camping, fishing, shooting, hunting, riding horses and carnival
rides at the fair.
 
He was a very talented
carpenter and all around handyman. There was nothing he couldn’t fix or build.
He and Lanette worked many days and nights on her first car, a 1964 Mercury
Comet. After buying the car they discovered it was a rare model and parts for
it were nearly impossible to find. The time they spent working together on the
car made it special to them both.
 
Larry was a quiet man but he
also was a practical joker and loved to joke and play with his kids, nieces,
nephews and of course his grandchildren. He was often called the “baby
whisperer” and sometimes a “baby hog or thief.” He was often one of the first
to hold his new grandbabies and would sit and stare at them in wonder for what
seemed like an eternity.
 
For all that knew Larry they
knew he had a passion for motorcycles. Shane remembers riding on the gas tank
in front of his dad and his sister riding behind dad when they were children.
 
Larry had a stroke 2 ½ years
ago and after a long fight he found peace on October 26, 2015 at Parkview
Medical Center, he was surrounded by his family and was fearless to the end.
 
He is survived by his wife of
39 years, Kim of the La Junta home; daughter, Lanette (Monty) White of Sayre,
OK; son, Shane (Amanda) Baker of La Junta; father, Elvis Baker of La Junta;
eight grandchildren, Clay, Kasandra, Kaylyn, Colin, Kaycee, Karsen, Mattie and
Kate; and special friend and caretaker, Lexi Dawson and many other friends and
relatives. He was preceded in death by his mother, Doris Baker; sister, Sherry
Pieper; granddaughter, Dakota Rose Baker and many aunts, uncles and
grandparents.
  
 

A memorial service will be Friday, October 30, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at the Church of Christ with Evangelist Terry Smalling officiating.