Obituary of Gary Earle Baker

Gary Earle Baker passed away of PSP (a neurological disease) on July 5, 2019 in Olympia, Washington, his home of 20 years. He was born January 23, 1943 to John Baker and Verna Pickering in Oakland, California.  Over the years, he also lived in Moscow, Idaho; Reedsport, Oregon; Castle Rock, Washington; Battle Ground, Washington; Eugene, Oregon; and Ridgefield, Washington.

Gary graduated from Freemont High School in Oakland, and earned a BA in Forestry from the University of Idaho in Moscow.  He married Janet Maureen Peterson in Kirkland, Washington.

Professionally, he worked in forestry, including logging supervisor, logging sales, and the export of logs to Japan.  He was a member of the Elks Club in Shelton, Washington, and was Vice Commodore at the Olympia Outboard Club on Steamboat Island, Washington.

Gary enjoyed swimming, scuba diving, boating/sailing, fishing, camping, reading, and spending time with his wife, daughters, extended family and dogs.  He also loved traveling abroad, and making RV trips cross-country.

A loving husband, father, son, brother and uncle, Gary leaves behind his wife of 40 years, Janet Maureen Baker of Olympia; daughter, Lisa Waite and her husband Gabriel of Pullman, Washington; daughter, Tiffany Gardner; grandchildren, Kayla Plakos and Alaska Waite; and mother, Verna Pickering.  He was predeceased by his father, John Baker; sister, Jackie Pancoast; and nephew, Tim King.

A celebration of Gary’s life will be held Saturday, August 17, 2019, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.at 7404 Gallagher Cove Road NW, Olympia, WA 98502.

Memorial donations may be made to CurePSP, 1216 Broadway, 2^nd Floor, New York, NY 10001, phone:  443-578-5670.