Henry Baker

Henry Charles Baker, Sr., 82, of Occidental, died in Santa Rosa
on Jan. 18. He was the father of Bonnie Baker of St. Helens, OR and
Henry Baker Jr. of Camp Meeker, grandfather of Austin Raymond and
Jennifer Raymond of OR, brother of David Baker who preceded him in
death on Jan. 17, uncle of Tony and Joyce Baker of LA, David and
Cheryll Baker of San Rafael and Christine Baker of OR. Born in San
Francisco, Henry was a graduate of Polytechnic High School. He
enlisted in the US Navy on Dec. 10, 1942. He was assigned to a
landing craft and made nine landings on the Pacific Islands during
his tour of duty. Henry achieved the rank of fireman first class
and served his country until Dec. 2, 1945.
He became a carpenter’s apprentice in 1950 and in 1954 attended
Barber College. Henry worked in San Francisco until he opened a
four-chair shop in Sausalito. In 1966 he took over the Barber Shop
in Occidental from Maksim Pecelj and continued to cut hair until
2001. Henry remained quite active in the local community. He was a
Volunteer Fireman in Camp Meeker for more than 25 years. He was a
member of the United Ancient Order of Druids, Grove #94 and
caretaker of the Druid Cemetery in Occidental. He was a life member
of the VFW, Goldridge Post 3919, the VVA, American Legion and
Disabled American Veterans. Henry attended the Santa Rosa Junior
College and there was a member of the safety committee and Alpha
Gamma Sigma. He also helped to establish the SRJC Backpacking Club
as well as the Genevieve Mott Memorial Literary Scholarship.
Friends are invited to attend a funeral mass at 11 a.m. today,
Jan. 27 at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church, Occidental.
Interment will be at Druid Cemetery in Occidental. Donations in
Henry’s memory may be made to the Genevieve Mott Memorial Literary
Scholarship, c/o SRJC Foundation, 1501 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa,
CA 95401.