John Westley Baker, 88

John Westley Baker died at Whitefish Care and Rehabilitation Center on Friday, Sept. 17, 2010, at the age of 88. John Westley Baker was born on Feb. 14, 1922, in Rexford, to Ralph and Anna (Sakon) Baker. John graduated from Whitefish High School in 1940, where he was an outstanding athlete. In 2006 he was elected to the Whitefish High School Hall of Fame. During his short tenure at the University of Montana, he participated in athletics until his call to duty to World War II. He received two Bronze Stars and other merits. He served in North Africa and Italy with the 341st Squadron. On May 23, 1948, he was united in marriage to Helen Sagen. Together they raised two sons, Jim and Rick Baker. John was a lifelong resident of Whitefish and worked for Great Northern Railroad (now Burlington Northern), starting out as a carman, then a fireman, then a locomotive engineer; retiring after 45 years. He was active in Boy Scouts and attended the National Boy Scout Jamboree in Washington, D.C. He was an avid outdoorsman throughout his life, and especially enjoyed fishing. Other hobbies included stamp and coin collecting. He was a member of the Whitefish VFW Post No. 276, Loyal Order of the Moose, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and the Flathead Valley Stamp Collectors. John is survived by his two sons, Jim and Geri of Whitefish, and Rick and Marietta of St. Paul, Minn.; one granddaughter, Heather, and Art Abbott, of Flagstaff, Ariz.; two grandsons, Brandt Baker of Missoula, and Michael Long of Sacramento, Calif.; one great-granddaughter, Lila; and numerous other nieces, nephews and extended family. He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen; and his siblings, Julia Lamberson, Clara Crawford, Helen Doyle and Ralph Baker. The family would like to thank the staff at Whitefish Care and Rehab and also Frontier Hospice for the wonderful care they provided our father. Memorial services will be held at a later date. Arrangements are by Austin Funeral Home. Contributions may be made to the Alzheimer s Association.