Gary Leroy Baker

GARY LEROY BAKER

Mechanicsville

Gary Leroy Baker, 76, of Mechanicsville, Iowa, died on Friday, Feb. 18, 2022. Visitation: 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 22, at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Mount Vernon. Funeral services: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 23, at the Mechanicsville United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery, Mechanicsville.

Those unable to attend are invited to watch the service via livestream. Please find the livestream link on Gary's Tribute Wall and share your support and memories with his family at www.stewartbaxter.com under obituaries.

Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Becky; children, Chris (Lora) Baker, Dan (Dana Lighthall) Baker and Heidi (Ken Wendt) Baker; grandchildren, Dalton (Liz) Robinson, Cody (Morgan Loney) Baker, Ryan Baker, Caleb Baker and Lexi Jo Baker; and great-grandchildren, Allison and Aiden.

He is also survived by his siblings, Sharon (Orv) Banasik, Ron (Kathie) Baker and Sandra Burns; a special big brother, James "Jack" Glover; in-laws, Cindy (John) Pieper, Mike Smith and Steve Smith; and his faithful dog, Bella Jo.

Gary was born on March 27, 1945, in Cedar Rapids, the son of Melvin and Jean Baker. He graduated from Lincoln High School in 1963, where he was very active in Future Farmers of America (FFA). Gary attended college at Clinton Community College and Iowa State University before returning to the area to begin his life as a dedicated farmer. Gary loved everything about being a farmer, including the hard work it took to be successful. Even in retirement, he enjoyed reliving the memories, especially sharing his passion with his grandchildren. He taught them a lot about farming and livestock.

On Sept. 5, 1970, Gary married the love of his life, Becky Smith, at the Mechanicsville United Methodist Church. He was active in the community over the years, including serving as member and past president of the Anamosa Jaycees (receiving the Outstanding Young Farmer Award), chair of the church Administrative Council and trustee of the church, member of the Jones County Pork Producers (receiving the Master Pork Producer Award), and on the board of Linn Mutual Insurance.

In his free time, he enjoyed model trains and worked diligently to restore his Ford tractor. Gary's love for his family will be greatly missed.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and grandparents, Fred and Alice Baker and Mervin and Katherine Baker; in-laws, Francis and Frances Smith and Debi Smith.

Memorials are suggested to the Mechanicsville United Methodist Church or the Mechanicsville Fire and Ambulance.