.Graveside services for Pare Daily “Ace” Baker, Jr, 87, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, March 22, 2020 at Oak Lawn Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mr. Baker passed away 7:59 a.m., Wednesday, March 18, 2020 at his home.
He was born December 15, 1932, at Batesville, Arkansas, to Pare D. Baker, Sr. and Rebecca Mae DePriest Baker. On March 15, 1957, he was married at West Plains, Missouri, to Mary Jo Smith. Mr. Baker was a veteran, having served with the United States Navy. Before his retirement he was the Assistant Parks and Recreation Director for the City of West Plains. He enjoyed playing golf, hunting and gardening. He never met a stranger. Ace loved his children, grandchildren and the love of his life, Mary Jo.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Jo Baker, of the family home; two children, Vicky Deatherage and husband, Dr. Ted Deatherage and Kenny Baker and wife, Jackie, all of West Plains; seven grandchildren, Samantha, Corey, Jazlynn, Kayla, Tim, Tonya and Alec; four great-grandchildren, Makenna, Haily, Mikah and Ellaina Jo; one sister-in-law, Sherrel Baker; and several nieces and nephews.
His parents and three brothers, Homer, Joe and James “Red” Baker, preceded him in death.
Mr. Baker will lie in state from 5:00 until 9:00 p.m., Saturday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Online condolences may be expressed at www.robertsondrago.com.
