Vernon J. Baker

Vernon James Baker (1939-2015) Our dad. Born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. A Navy man who earned his Bachelor's, Master's and ABD at the University of Arizona. Wife Mona of 52 years; brother Fred. Kids Joel, Kathy, David and Mike. Grandchildren Natalie, Jared, Samantha, Ethan and Sarah. Passed quietly following a brief and brave fight with lung cancer on April 23, 2015. He was a very gentle man - a special man. A lifelong learner and educator, dad was always the smartest guy in the room though you would never know it. An avid reader and historian, he was at once brilliant but always modest. He shared his love of reading with his wife Mona and his son Joel. An extraordinary photographer, dad captured breathtaking landscape images from across the United States. A hobby he shared with his son Mike. A University of Arizona sports fan. Anyone in reasonable proximity to the house on game day knew it. He was loyal. He shared this loyalty with his kids and grandkids. He loved gardening and music. He loved his dogs. Every home he lived in, anywhere in the world had a beautiful garden with flowers. He shared these loves with his kids. He was a practical man, yet always sentimental. Since losing his son David 33 years ago, he thought about him every day and spoke of him often. He was THE source for wisdom and advice for his family and many others. He was a quiet, understated personality without pride or bluster - but he was fiercely protective of his family. He passed this trait on to his daughter, Kathy. More than anything, he was a man that loved being with his family - especially around the holidays building simple traditions. He and mom are at the heart of the closest family we know. He gave this to all of us, and it will last always. Services at Tanque Verde Lutheran Church. 3:00 PM, Tuesday April 28th. 8625 E. Tanque Verde Rd. Tucson. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation or the Crippled Children Foundation.