Karl T. Baker, Sr.

Karl T Baker Sr peacefully passed away April 23rd 2016 at his home in Philomath, Oregon. He was born on November 21, 1926 in San Mateo, CA. He was the second son of John Allen Baker and Dorothy Baker. His older brother John Allen Baker II passed away in 2013. After completing high school early Karl joined the Merchant Marine. He was a part of the crew of the SS Mission Buenaventura, an oil tanker. Karl joined the ship when it was loaded with oil from the Gulf sailed through the Panama Canal out into the Pacific in 1944. The ship delivered most of its load in the Marianna’s Islands. The ship sailed to San Francisco via Pearl Harbor. During the middle of the night stop in Pearl, Karl suspected that his brother Jack (serving on the naval vessel PC 582), was in port. Karl did find Jack playing cards below deck on the PC 582. (Karl had a knack for finding someone he knew where ever he went.) After a couple of hours, Karl’s ship headed back to sea. Those Navy boys pointed out how big the bullseye was for the tankers in the Pacific by the enemy. Karl now understood why the pay was so high compared to the regular military pay. Good lesson for a 17 year old. Upon arrival back at the west coast, Karl enlisted in the US Army. During the last phase of Boot Camp, a posting was made for those interested in joining the Army Air Corp. Karl figured flying was better than walking. He became an Airplane and engine mechanic before being sent to Johnson Army Air Force base in Honshu, Japan. He was assigned to the 82nd Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron. Later he served on B-29’s flying around the world as a part of SAC. Then he was in the first group trained to work on the first jets entering serving the USAF (Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star). Karl was recalled for the Korean War and sent back to Japan for war service. Karl was discharged for the last time in June 1952. His truly enjoyed his military service and those experiences served his children well. Between the wars he worked in Portland, met Virginia Owens of Corvallis. She was a Registered Nurse at OHSU. Between them they had 4 children, Karl Jr, Mark (deceased in 1982), Catherine, and Susan. They divorced several years later. Before and after the wars he worked for Standard Oil Co in Portland and Corvallis. In March 1967 he opened the Enco/Exxon “service” station at 3rd and Western in Corvallis. In 1975 he was selected to work with Herb Hammond on the construction of the Law Enforcement Building that opened in 1976. He worked as the building maintenance person there, the county jail, public service building (the old clinic location), and public works. He retired in 1991. In addition to his children Karl is survived by many grand and great grandchildren. His ashes were scattered at his favorite elk hunting site near Ukiah, OR.

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Karl T. Baker, Sr.

November 21, 1926 - April 23, 2016