Liz, So very sorry for your loss. As a military brat yourself you know the ins and outs of "standing strong" and I am confident that you are doing just that for your girls. I have fond memories of hanging out with you and Mark in the early years. Keep the memories alive. Love, Mary Morin Miranda

Mark you will always live in my heart and prayers; you were a great mentor, friend, and comrade.  Our days together as platoon leaders in A Co. 1/68 Armor were the best.

Mark, you will be missed.  I enjoyed our time together on the CTC OIS program and loved to hear your stories of life, family, and service to our country.  I doubt I will ever get on my bike without thinking of you and all the time we talked about seeing the country.  Godspeed my friend and may God bless your family.

“May the good earth be soft under you when you rest upon it, and may it rest easy over you when, at the last, you lay out under it, And may it rest so lightly over you that your soul may be out from under it quickly, and up, and off, And be on its way to God.”

Mark was a fine man and a good Christian.  I enjoyed working with him at Ft. Polk JRTC in 2008.

Mark, you will be deeply missed.  I worked with Mark for several years on a number of projects and remember most his good humor, steadfastness and "get it done for the Soldier" attitude.  My best to the Family in this time of loss and prayers for a Good and honest Soldier and Man.

I served with Mark in the 45th Infantry Brigade.  We both commanded infantry battalions.  He was a good man and will be missed.

Mark,
You were a good Soldier and a good friend. You were a hoot on every trip we took with Tom and Ace and Wes, from the days back at Ft. Leavenworth long ago to Orlando, to JRTC and NTC.  The days of bikes, sidecars from Russia or the Ukraine or wherever, pick-up trucks, and bed toppers from Ebay were a thrill at Sonny's and Maryland Fried Chicken.  No more needless discussions. I will miss you, and you will be missed by family in OK and in FL.  God Bless those you left behind missing you even more.

My Heart is saddened to hear the news of Marks passing; my prayers go out to his family for their loss. I did not know Mark for long, however the time I did know him he made me a better person, He will be missed, however his memories will be honored.  God Bless.

My deepest heartfelt sympathies to your family!

I only had a brief time with Mark, but considered him a true American.

Our sincere sympathy to all of Mark's family--he was a joy to all who knew him and be remembered for the fun times we had together as family.
Aunt Darlene & Uncle Dean

COL Baker was my first battalion commander as a staff officer.  He treated me like a son and mentored me along the way. We had many deep conversations about faith and family. He loved God and his girls very much. We walked together through the hardship of burying other fellow soldiers. Now we say goodbye to this warrior. I'll miss him and will always be grateful for my time spent with him.

Mark, I only worked for you for a short time at CALL, but I learned so much. My sympathies to your family. You are truly missed.

Bob Blankenship
Ft. Leavenworth, KS

It was a pleasure working with Mark at the Center for Army Lessons Learned.  Going to visit Mark and the rest of his team "down in the bunker" has always been an adventure!  

My thoughts and prayers go out to the entire family during this difficult time.

I was sad to hear of your passing.  The world is a lesser place because of it.  May God bless you.

So sorry to hear about Mark, my prayers are with his family...he will be missed.( Manhattan High classmate 1973 )

We were so sad to hear about Mark. We have many fun memories of summers on the farm in Kansas and trips to Manhattan! Our deepest sympathies go out to Liz, Lindley & Lorin as well as Arvella & Jim, Kevin, Jim and AnnMarie. You are all in our prayers!

Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire family of a wonderful father, person, and soldier.  He will truly be missed by many.

Mark,
Have not seen you in a very long time, too long that is.  Have not forgotten you, nor will I ever.
James Duff
SFC AUS Retired

I remember COL Baker as a fine officer and always good to work with.  My deepest sympathies to the entire Baker family.
Danny L. Golden, SGM (Retired) Woodbridge, VA

The Boards, management, staff and the entire membership of the Armed Services Mutual Benefit Association express our sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of Col. Baker.  We are forever grateful for his service to our country.

Sir, thank you for being such an incredible leader and mentor. My heart and prayers are to Elizabeth, Lindley and Lorin.

What a fine friend and a great Soldier!  He will be sorely missed.

I'm so sorry for your loss. I knew Mark in highschool and will always remember him. You can tell from these pictures what was truely important to him. He loved his family and served his country with honor. My prayers are with you and your family.

I never had the pleasure to get to know you as well as I got to know the women in your family, but I appreciate everything you helped do for our country and how much you loved your family. I know you will be missed dearly.

Our deepest sympathies to Liz, Lindley, & Lorin.  Also to Jim & Arvella, Kevin, Jim & Ann Marie.  There are so many fond memories of the Manhattan days!  You are all in our thoughts and prayers!

I really enjoyed my time working with Mark at the NTC and JRTC.  He was a good friend and will be missed.  God Bless his family.  Rick O'Steen, Orlando, FL

Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire family.  Mark was a true friend and great work partner.

E.G. and Candace Fish

My sincere condolences to the entire family, keeping you all in my heart and prayers.

 HE TOUCHED MANY HEARTS AND WILL BE MISSED. MY PRAYERS ARE SENT TO HIS FAMILY.

Dear Baker family,
We have never met but I feel like I know you all through the Shackelford family.  We are  so very sad for your loss and we pray for God's comfort at this difficult time.
God Bless you all,
Roz & Roy Simpson
Brandon & Ocala, FL

I have many pleasant memories of Mark, beginning in elementary school.  He was consistently a kind and giving person, anxious to be of age to serve his country. It is my understanding that he did a fine job of it. I feel fortunate to have known him throughout our educational years in Manhattan. Many blessings to his family in this time of sorrow.

Our heartfelt condolences to Liz, Lindley, Lorin, and the entire family. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

Love to all,
Chuck, Jeanne, and Erika Graber
Windsor, Colorado

Great memories of banding Great -Horned Owls and Red-tailed Hawks with you in high school Biology class, Mark. Goodbye old friend.
Becky (Finney) Brenner, Leonardville, Ks.

I am so very sorry for your loss of your beloved Mark. Just so sorry. Love from Cheryl (Davis) Parsons

I was a friend of Mark in high school.I had not seen him for 30+ years but always I will always consider him a friend. He could always make you feel better about yourself no matter how bad you thought things were. He was a great person and he will be missed by everyone (even those of us that have not seen him for years).

God bless and my prayers are with you.

Liz and Girls-
We have never met and you do not know us.  We are very close friends with Jim, Jayne and Emily.  We have been devastated to learn of your loss.  Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you all.  Our love for the Baker family extends to you.  A candle has been lit in Mark's memory and we will continue to pray for peace and comfort for you all.  God Speed!

Mark,  My great classmate and friend! Was so happy after all this time had passed that we had reconnected and talked last week about seeing each other at the mini class reunion in July!  And how you told me how great your wife was and she was the love of your life!!  Still remember when you found out your Mom was going to have your baby sister- Ann Marie.. you were so excited!  You loved your family so much! To your wife, your daugthers, your Mom, Step-father, Kevin and his wife, James and his wife and Ann Marie and her husband,  I am so sorry for your lost and I will always cherish my great memories of Mark! He was an awesome guy!!!   Sue Downing Korthanke (Hiawatha,KS)

Liz, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. My heart goes out to you during this difficult time.

The last communication sent out by you, dear friend...may today there be peace within, may you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be...may you be content knowing you are a child of God, allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.  You lived an example of that, Mark - - may we all continue to live through you - - and sing, dance, praise and love.  Please wrap your arms around your girls and give them some of the peace you now know.  Your time was too short, but your spirit lives thru all the good that you did for everyone lucky enough to know your kindness.  God Bless......and save a spot, OK?

Mark, although we met for the first time a few months ago through our work at the Center for Army Lessons Learned, your leadership and service to Soldiers were readily evident in your work ethic and dealings with people. You were always a blessing to all of us and you are missed. Your smile may be gone, but it will never be forgotten. We miss you!

What to say, Sir? You drove us hard, expected our best and gave us yours in return. You took care of us in the 179th IN and continued to take care of us crazy 2LTs at Ft. Benning and I'll remember you well for it. You spoke often and fondly of your family and we carry that example with us still. I'll bring you a cigar when I come and we can gather round St. Maurice up there. -CPT Rory Williams

May God be your strengh during this diffuclt time. It was an honor to have Mark as a boss. He was great! He always had a smile, a kind word, and a positive attitude. We will all miss him.

My sincere condolences to the entire Baker family.

You were more than a boss, you were a friend.  I will always cherish the many laughters we had and the stories we shared.  You will be missed my friend and I will never forget you.  
Until we meet again.

Mark, 
You were a positive influence and great teacher to many soldiers and others throughout your service to our great nation.  I will always remember the branch camping trip to Lake Anna. Boy, was it cold! You and Red regaled us around the campfire with your guitar pickin' and singin'.  Your 'Thank God I'm A Bureau Boy' adaptation of John Denver's 'Thank God I'm A Country Boy' was a hit with all of us.  My life is richer by having known you and your beautiful family.

I served with COL(R) Mark Baker.  He was an oustanding Commander and friend. Our sincerest condolences to the Liz Baker their wonderful daughters. .

I am so sorry for your loss, Liz.  Mark and I were good friends (he had so many) when he worked at OMD.  He was always so personable, outgoing, and willing to help.  I know from our conversations that he cherished his wife and kids.

I'll be missing you Mark, but I know there is a special place reserved for good old soldiers.

Paul Jones LTC (ret)

COL Baker was one of my greatest mentors. I don't know what to say. God rest his soul. True leader, through and through. 
RLTW!!!!!

Too soon, my friend.  Too soon.  We will miss your smile and wit.  Say hi to our friends and comrades who went before us.  See you on the other side.

We served and traveled the country together, sometimes we even accomplished some business. I will always cherish our friendship-you are missed.  Kim Fields, Virginia Beach, VA

From one old Soldier, Husband and Father to another - thanks for the good times, my friend.  You were indeed one of a kind.  And I'm gonna miss ya.

OBITUARY

Mark O. Baker

June 8, 1955 – May 24, 2010

Baggerley Funeral Home

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