Thomas W. Baker

Thomas W. Baker (85) of Tempe, AZ died on June 5, 2014, with his wife by his side. He was born in Tacoma, WA on August 31, 1928 to Urel L. Baker and Geneva Etta Baker. His family later moved to Yuma, where he grew up. Tom graduated from Yuma High School in 1946 and received degrees in Chemical Engineering and Industrial Engineering from the University of Washington. Upon graduation from college, Tom enlisted in the U.S. Army and served his country from 1951-54 in America, Japan, and Korea. Tom began working for the Spreckels Sugar Co. in 1954. He stayed with the company for 34 years, moving from Woodland, CA to San Francisco, then Tempe, AZ, and finally to company headquarters in New York City. Retirement in 1988 brought new adventures for Tom. He and his wife, Beverly, moved back to Tempe, where he became an award-winning site steward for the BLM and earned his private pilot's license. Tom is survived by Beverly Nelson Baker, his wife of 62 years, two children (Mark Baker and his wife Deborah of Bonner's Ferry, ID and Kathryn Jo Baker of Walla Walla, WA); two grandchildren (Grahm and his wife Gigie, and Kelly Baker); his sister (Mary Brock and her husband, Lannes, of Yuma, AZ); his brother (John Baker and his wife Elaine of PA); and several nieces and nephews. Although Tom's life took him to many parts of the world, his heart was always in Arizona. Tom lived life to the fullest, loved his family, and never forgot the friends he made along the way. No flowers by request; however, if you would like to honor Tom's memory you can do so by making a donation to the American Cancer Society.