Jerry Dean Baker

Jerry Dean Baker was known as many things to many people. He was a loved one, a friend, and someone special. To family and friends who knew him best, Jerry will be remembered as a very exceptional person.

      Jerry was born on July 3, 1934 in Antlers, Oklahoma. He was the son of Bob H. and Robye Ida Baker.

      A typical teenager, Jerry had a fairly happy high school experience, making that critical transition from adolescence to adulthood. He graduated from McAlester High School in McAlester, Oklahoma in 1952. He enjoyed some classes more than others, having favorite subjects and teachers.

      Empathic and loyal, Jerry was committed to making his new family happy. He exchanged wedding vows with Sandra Ann Boyd on July 19, 1958 in Lubbock, Texas.  Jerry worked hard to be a good father to his children and he did his best to fulfill their needs. Jerry was blessed with two sons, Jeff and Greg. Another blessing for Jerry was the gift of four grandchildren, Hope, Jacob, Grant and Abigail.

Jerry enjoyed his college years, which may have been a challenge with all of the academics, responsibilities, and the sudden freedom that accompanied them, but Jerry was able to manage the balancing act. He attended East Central Oklahoma State College and Oklahoma A&M. He also pursued graduate school, earning his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Texas Tech University in 1960.

      Fortunately, Jerry enjoyed what he did for a living. Showing a strong work ethic, Jerry worked diligently and did his best to succeed in his career. His primary occupation was design. Jerry had lived in Lubbock since 1963 and retired as Chief Engineer from Clark Equipment in 1983. Previously, he had worked as a Mechanical Design Engineer at Phillips Petroleum Company in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, and Kansas City, Missouri. Jerry always sought to be a team player, doing what was necessary in order to get the job done.

Following his retirement, he formed Cadraft Design Services in 1987 intending to design only a few homes for friends and acquaintances. He retired again in 2010 after creating over 1500 building plans, primarily in the Lubbock and West Texas area. He had been a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), and Construction Industry Manufacturer's Association (CIMA). He was Secretary of the Kansas City chapter of the ASME and also chairman of the CIMA's SAE Nomenclature Committee. Jerry was the holder of several patents associated with off-highway terrain heavy equipment vehicles.       

Jerry was an United States Army veteran. He was a Korean War veteran and served with the 99th Combat Engineering Company of the 30th Engineering Group which received two Unit Citations. His fellow soldiers viewed him as a brother in arms and knew that he was as much a part of their family as their loved ones back home.

      Jerry was a man who took pride in upholding his beliefs. So it is little wonder that he took an active role in his community, he was active in youth sports and was a former president of the Dixie Little League, the Monterey Boosters Club, and the Atkins PTA.

      Jerry passed away on December 3, 2018 at Heritage Oaks in Lubbock, Texas. He is survived by his wife, Sandra; son Jeff Baker and wife, Mary Kay, and grandchildren Hope and Jacob Baker; son Greg Baker and wife, Kimberly, grandchildren Grant and Abigail Baker. Services were held at Resthaven's Abbey Chapel. Jerry was laid to rest in Resthaven Memorial Park in Lubbock, Texas.

      Simply stated, Jerry was a good and kind person, an individual who will for all time be remembered by his family and friends as being a caring and giving person, someone who was a vital part of their lives. Jerry leaves behind him a legacy of life-long friendships and many cherished memories. Everyone whose life he touched will always remember Jerry Dean Baker.