Gary Baker

Gary Gene Baker, 66, of Pocahontas passed away Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

He was born July 28, 1943, in Bollinger County, Mo., son of Luther and Susie Irene Ashcraft Baker. He and Melva Wallman were married March 26, 1965.

Gary graduated from Fredericktown High School in 1961. He served in the Army National Guard from Nov. 2, 1966, to Nov. 1, 1972.

He worked 30 years at the former International Shoe Co. in Jackson and did landscaping eight years for the former Lix Nursery. He had been disabled the past 13 years.

Gary loved the outdoors and especially enjoyed hunting, fishing and gardening of all kinds.

Loving survivors include his wife of 44 years; a son, Timothy Baker of Pocahontas; a daughter, Tonia (Johnny) Hendrix of Jackson; three brothers, Ivan (Joyce) Baker of De Soto, Mo., Sherry D. (Kay) Baker and Sam (Jeanice) Baker of Jackson; and two grandchildren, Tyler and Paige Hendrix of Jackson.

He was preceded in death by an infant son, Randy Todd, in 1965, and his parents.

Friends may call from noon to service time Friday at McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Friday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Terry Scott officiating. Interment will follow in St. John's Cemetery in Pocahontas.

Memorials may be made to the National Kidney Foundation.

Sympathy messages may be sent to the family online at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.