Gene was born April 3, 1958 to Alan J and JoAnne Baker in Kansas City, Missouri. He was a graduate of the Class of 1976 at North Kansas City High School and graduated from Maple Woods Community College in 1989. Gene retired from Zep Inc. in April 2020 after 37 years as a sales rep.
Gene lived life with a playful sense of humor, a youthful sense of adventure, and the wisdom to know what was worth pursuing; a connection with nature, interest in music and sports, and good times spent with loved ones, making memories.
He was an avid fisherman, duck hunter, and outdoorsman with a love of wildlife and compassion for all of God's creatures. He was a fanatic season ticket holder for the KC Chiefs, and enjoyed tailgating with family and friends alike. He rooted for KU Basketball and MU Football. He also loved music and seeing live bands.
He was a family man, a loving and dedicated husband and father. He enjoyed travelling to exciting and beautiful destinations with family and with his beloved wife, Jennifer. He kept a weekly movie date with his daughters for 25 years. His grandsons looked forward to the fishing trips with "Papa Gene" every summer, and friends and family marked their calendars for Gene and Jenn's annual fish fry party every August.
Gene was fun and charismatic, with contagious smiles and laughter, and his signature head of curls. He was someone that people wanted to get to know. He was friendly, accepting, easy-going, even-tempered, and held a live-and-let-live mentality. He avoided drama and conflict when appropriate, but focused on positivity and humor, and remained optimistic, even until his final days. He was kind, generous, and so much fun to be around! He will be missed by all who knew him.
Gene was preceded in death by his mother, JoAnne.
A small celebration of life will be held at Oak Grove Park, Gladstone Missouri on June 6 @ 11am. Anyone is welcome, but we ask that attendees please follow social distancing rules (bring your own chairs, stay at a distance from each other, etc.). We also understand that it is a complicated time, and no one should feel pressured to attend (kind thoughts and messages are enough and appreciated). For those who attend and would like to share a short story about Gene, they are more than welcome to do so. Please just let Jennifer Baker know ahead of time, although impromptu stories will be welcome, as well.
We also ask that any memorials take the form of donations to ALS research (see link below) in Gene's name, which will support the discovery of better treatments and maybe even a cure someday.
Thank you to everyone who has already shown their support and love during this hard time for Gene's family and friends.
