Harrison Baker

Harrison Baker, a cherished patriarch and esteemed member of the Oakvale community, passed away peacefully on February 27, 2025, in Princeton, WV, at the venerable age of 90. Born on November 9, 1934, in Paynesville, WV, to the late Charlie L Baker and Almeda Mullins Baker, Harrison's life was a testament to the values of hard work, family devotion, and the joys of the great outdoors.

Harrison, affectionately known by his friends and loved ones, leaves behind a legacy of love and dedication. Predeceased by his beloved wife of 68 years, Birdia Etta Payne Baker, his son John Kenneth Baker, and his daughter Susie Gail Baker, Harrison's memory will be forever cherished by his surviving children, Dianna Baker Tilley and Charles W Baker, and his spouse Julie. His daughter in law Anita Baker,  and His grandchildren—Nathan Alan Caldwell and his wife Julie, Michael Alan Caldwell and his wife Lacie, Josh Baker and his wife Jerrica, John Baker Jr and his wife Samantha, Harley Baker Pearl and her husband Zach, and Erica Baker Skillen and her husband Davie, Cyndi Rubel —revel in the countless memories and lessons imparted by their grandfather. His great-grandchildren Corbin, Connor, Bryce, Autumn, Cassidee, Rowan, Liam, Clayton, and Kinley will grow up hearing tales of their great-grandfather's kindness and adventures.

Harrison's nurturing spirit extended beyond his biological family, as he lovingly took James, Billy French, and Tony Jones under his wing, guiding them with the same paternal dedication he showed his own children. A proud alumnus of Iager High School and McDowell Vocational School, Harrison honed his skills as a welder, a trade that would define his professional life. His craftsmanship as part of Local 100 of the Sheet Metal Workers Union was not only his livelihood but also his passion. Harrison took great pride in the government projects he contributed to in Washington DC and the surrounding areas. His skills were so respected that he was enlisted to work on Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base, a professional highlight and an honor he often recounted with pride.

First and foremost, Harrison was a family man, but his love for hunting and fishing ran a close second. An avid outdoorsman, he spent countless hours in the company of his loyal dogs, particularly Old Rover, with whom he won numerous trophies in competitive hunts. His enthusiasm for coon hunting by night, and deer, rabbit, and squirrel hunting by day, was matched only by his love for tending to his vegetable garden in his younger years.

Friends and family often described Harrison as loving, friendly, and selfless. His willingness to help others and his constant cheerfulness enriched the lives of those around him. As William Shakespeare once wrote, "The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away." Harrison certainly found his gift in his ability to nurture and support his loved ones, and he gave it away generously throughout his life.

Harrison Baker's legacy is not only in the memories he left behind or the skills he passed down but in the love he shared and the community he helped to build. His was a life well-lived, full of purpose, joy, and an abundance of love. As we say goodbye to this remarkable man, we take comfort in knowing that his spirit lives on through his family and the many lives he touched. Harrison's memory will forever be a beacon of kindness and selflessness in the hearts of all who knew him. Funeral services to celebrate the life of Harrison will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, March 8, 2025, from the Chapel of Fredeking Funeral Service, Oakvale, WV. Burial will follow in New Zion Cemetery.  Friends may visit with the family on Friday, March 7, 2025, from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at the funeral home. Online condolences may be shared with the family via www.fredekingfs.com. The Baker family is being served by Fredeking Funeral Service in Oakvale, WV.

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