THOMAS W. BAKER JR. obituary

HAVRE - Thomas W. Baker Jr., 87, of Havre died Wednesday, July 20, 2005, at Lewistown while visiting family.

Crema-tion has taken place. A vigil and rosary will be held at St. Jude's Catholic Church at 7 p.m. Thursday. A gathering will be held at the Elks Club following the service.

Tom was born July 17, 1918, in Lewistown to Tom and Vern Baker. He was educated in Augusta and Lewistown. Tom graduated from Fergus County High School in 1936. He then attended the University of Portland in Portland, Ore., on an athletic scholarship.

On Aug. 10, 1940, Tom married Jessie Mackie in Lewistown. They moved to Havre, where they resided until their retirement. They wintered in Mesa, Ariz., upon their retirement.

Throughout his life, Tom loved watching and playing sports and hunting and fishing. In his later years, he was a fan of the Phoenix Suns and Arizona Diamondbacks.

Tom had a warm smile, great sense of humor, including many stories and jokes. He loved his family and friends.

Tom was a lifetime member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and Elks Lodge No. 1201 of Havre. He also was a member of the Loyal Order of Moose Lodge No. 2082 of East Mesa, Ariz.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Jean Wojtowick.

Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Jessie; children, Sandy (Ron) Olmstead of Mesa, Ariz., Don Baker of Lewistown, Tom (Debbie) Baker, Kathy (Jerry) Engleson and Janet (Jim) Branden, all of Havre; 10 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; sisters, Peggy Jones of Havre, Barb Hopkins of Spokane, Wash., Helen (Renny) Breda of Grand Junction, Colo.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorials in Tom's honor may be made to Havre Youth Baseball, c/o Travis Abdallah, 1326 Hoover Ave., Havre, MT 59501, or to an organization of one's choice.