Donald Baker Obituary

Donald Brice Baker, known as Don, was born in Chandler, AZ on August 29, 1940 to Fred and Anna Baker and passed away June 12, 2022 at the age of 81.

Don grew up in Chandler, AZ then moved to Gila Bend, AZ area in 1962. He worked at Poco Dinero Ranch and then met Marilyn Miller of Gila Bend and they were married November 12, 1963 in Las Vegas, NV. Don was hired at the Kaiser Steel Iron Ore Mine in Eagle Mountain, CA in 1963 as a heavy equipment operator until the mine closure in 1982.

He then moved his family to Vallecito Lake, CO, where he built a log home and resided there until his final move to Bayfield, CO in 1993, continuing to be a heavy equipment operator.

Don was a man of many talents, he built sand buggies, raced motorcycles and rode his Harley Davidson trike. He quit school at the age of 15 to help his parents where he learned how to operate heavy equipment. Running heavy equipment was the one thing he loved most in his life. When his disabilities hindered his ability to do the things he loved, he then spent most of his time tending to his yard and flowers.

Don is known for being the life of the party and his exaggerated storytelling and jokes. He will be missed by his family and longtime friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Anna Baker and his siblings, John Baker, Fred Baker, Irene Lewis, Emma Ruth McClellan, Georgie Utt, Margie Wood and Mary Sheldon.

Donald is survived by his wife, Marilyn Baker of Bayfield, CO, and his two children, Collette Castellanos and spouse Ramon Castellanos, of Yucca Valley, CA, and Scott Baker and spouse Melissa Baker, of Aurora, CO. His three grandchildren, Jordan Edwards, of Twentynine Palms, CA, Lucetta Castellanos of Redlands, CA and Ryder Flatten of New Richmond, WI. One sibling Peggy Kakavas of Show Low, AZ and many nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be held on Tuesday, July 5, 2022 at 10:00 AM at Hood Mortuary, 1261 E. 3rd Avenue, Durango, CO 81301.