Kendall Baker Obituary

Kendall Baker died recently at his home just outside of Durango. He was 75. It was peaceful on the clear Sunday morning of January 11, with friends at his side.

He was born Kendall John Baker (named after his dad) in Victorville, California in1950, on October 30. His family later lived overseas and he traveled the world. Later he continued to travel, abroad and closer to home, with a sense of adventure. He acquired a taste for beauty and high quality in all things.

His dad, Lt Col (Retired) US Air Force Kendall John Baker and his mom, Ruth ended up in Colorado Springs for his senior year in high school where Kendall graduated. He attended Fort Lewis College as well. By high school he had a "middle" younger sister, Karen, and kid brother Brad. He is survived by both siblings and four nephews.

He spent the early 1970's at the family cabin and on the slopes of Breckenridge Ski Resort, racing in town competitions and coaching. He loved skiing just about more than anything and considered anybody who did not ski inferior. Summers he spent working in the woods and traveling to his heart's content. Wherever he went, he looked to the mountains for inspiration and beauty. He knew how to catch a fish with a fly and preferred streams to lakes. He had a large collection of paintings and art, many pieces by a talented professional painter close friend, and almost all landscape.

The last winter of Kendall's life he was becoming more ill. He suffered from unrelenting metastatic lung cancer. He did what Kendall would do: he bought new (and expensive) hand-made alpine skis of the old-school type, new Marker bindings, and hot new shiny Nordica boots. And he got his Super Senior Power Pass from Purgatory Ski Resort (free if you're over 75; he was. Thanks Purg!). He was having trouble getting out of bed, but he knew winter was coming. One of his best friends said with respect and admiration about Kendall: "not everybody gets to go down swinging". You can rest assured, Kendall did. Just in case we finally got snow this winter and he got a good case of anastasis, he was ready.

Something should be said about Kendall's appreciation for a fine meal (and a good book, he had a prodigious library). A pretty good cook himself, he would not hesitate to dine out and sample the most expensive and tastiest of any course from appetizer to entre. Including dessert, no matter the cost. He appreciated a good espresso and glass of wine, preferably Italian. He was often a bit disappointed at a chosen eatery but always ate up and always tipped.

Finally, Kendall was known far and wide as a fine craftsman of wood. As a builder, a carpenter, timber framer (he hated metal plates, better to go with pegs), designer and maker of cabinets and fine wooden furniture. There are few in the Colorado Southwest more respected or talented than Kendall. Or more proud. He was known for perfection from all perspectives. Kendall took his last breaths in the small captivating and beautiful home he designed and built himself.

In memory of Kendall go ski, or if you are inferior, then have a dark bold café, pasta, a nice relleno, or a big bowl of Cream Bean Berry vanilla ice cream. Or just stare at the mountains and the blue sky. You might see him.

He had many friends and loved them in his own special and private way.
He will be missed.

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Kendall left some of his savings to three entities: Durango Mercy/Common Spirt Home Health Hospice –via Mercy Health Foundation (love and a million thank-yous to Amy, RN and the staff), to the Salvation Army, and to Medical Missions for Children (surgery overseas for congenitally deformed, very disadvantaged kids; MMFC.org). They are very deserving. You could do something like that if you wish, too.

There might be some sort of public memorial for friends down the line. Notice would be made.