Keith Edward Baker

He was predeceased by his 2nd wife of 37 years, Carol Baker (June 2024), his sisters Lyla Reding and Lois Jack, his 1st wife, Beryl Jarvis (2009) and his parents.

Survived by daughters Connie Griffin (Mal) of West Kelowna, Paula Neglia (Darcy) of Salt Spring Island; grandchildren, Ethan (Carissa), Samuel (Leona), Zachary, Jarvis, Jacob and Finlay and great grandson Boden. Also survived by Carol’s four children Vicki, Terri, Mark and Jodi, her grandchildren and great grandchildren; his sister Joy Cinnamon, of Port Coquitlam and many nieces and nephews.

Keith was born in Minitonas (Bowsman), Manitoba on March 17, 1937 the eldest of four children and only son of Lyle and Rhea Baker who at that time lived with Lyle’s parents on a farm raising cattle, sheep and hogs and growing grain of all types. When Keith was four years old the family moved to Dryden, Ontario where he started school and where his love of forests, mountains and wild animals began as his Dad taught him woodsmanship, shooting and hunting sports. In 1947 the family moved back to his Grandpa Baker’s farm in Minitonas, now including three younger sisters. Keith was so proud to be a Manitoba farm boy and always had many stories of his Grandparents and farm life.

Keith attended a public Country School at Sinclair River. He learned to drive tractor at age 10 and big trucks at 12 and in 1955 he and his friend Lorne travelled by train, ferry and bus to Campbell River, BC and became Operating Engineers. Keith worked on dams and highways including the Rogers Pass, Massey Tunnel and Hwy 1 near Abbotsford.

Leaving road construction behind he moved to Richmond, BC, met and married Beryl Jarvis in 1967, became Manager at A-Z Rentals and Connie and Paula were born in 1968 and 1969 respectively.

In 1972 he designed and began the building of the Baker family home in West Kelowna Estates (now known as Rose Valley) and his young family was moved to the Okanagan before Connie started Kindergarten. After some upgrading to his education he began working in the building construction industry in Kelowna, working for Barval Installations doing much of the T-Bar ceiling work in the buildings that you see in this city today. Later he was the Project Superintendent for the Grand Hotel and Casino and the Kelowna General Hospital Rose Avenue Building in addition to many other large and small projects in the Okanagan.

Keith grew up believing in God and took his family to church a few times a year, and grace was always said at a family Christmas dinner, but in 1981 Keith came to know Jesus as his personal Saviour and his faith deepened at that point in his life. He met his best friend Carol a few years later, they married and she was the love of his life. He purchased a home in Rutland on McPhee Street overlooking Ben Lee Park where they enjoyed many happy years together, hosting dinners, travelling, dancing at the Elk’s club, spending time on the ATV’s at the Dunes and in the winter on snowmobiles as well as planting and harvesting beautiful and fruitful flower and vegetable gardens.

Keith loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter and outdoorsman, his home was adorned with many of his trophy’s, and he always had a story about each one. Many of his best memories are from hunting trips with his best friend of over 40 years, Wally. He also loved music and he and Carol travelled around to many Blue Grass Festivals throughout BC and across the border. After years of trying to learn banjo and other instruments which by his own admission he was never very good at he made his own ‘gut bucket’ bass and was honored to play along with the Old Time Fiddlers in Kelowna.

Keith’s accomplishments included being Director & Treasurer of SICA, Director of Kelowna Snowmobile Club, long-time member of the Elks Club as well as their Chaplain, Sportsman of the Year by the Richmond Rod and Gun Club, a member of Boone and Crockett and the BC Wildlife Federation for 40 years, and he was an honorary Conservation Officer, but he was most proud of his big family.

In his final years he spent time at Orchard Gardens, formerly Fern Brae Manor where his mother had also lived for a time and finally in the care of wonderful staff at Spring Valley Care home. The Baker family is so grateful for the amazing staff who were also his family and cared for him so well in his final days. Special thanks to Roshen, Hanna, Anita and Alex.

Keith will be greatly missed by his many friends and relatives, he always said he lived a wonderful life and now he can spend eternity dancing as he so loved to do.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but receive everlasting life. John 3:16

A Memorial Service will be held at First Memorial Funeral Services on Friday November 28, 2025 at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, Keith would be honored if donations were made to the BC Wildlife Federation.