Obituary of Carl Gene Baker

Carl Gene Baker of Fulbright passed away on August 24, 2016 at the age of 81. Surviving are children Kenny Baker of Avery, Sheila Jackson and husband Clint of Avery, Mike Baker and wife Kathy of Longview, Charles Larry Hopper of Lone Star, James Arelus Hopper and wife Maxine of DeKalb, seven grandchildren, and five great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Lela Gertru Baker and step-son, Dwight Hopper who both died in 2015. Mr. Baker had been a resident of Regency Healthcare in Clarksville since 2013. Mr. Baker was born on August 12, 1935, at home on Baker Lane southwest of Clarksville, the last of three children of Twyman Baker and Annie Myrtle (Tippit) Baker. Hard country living shaped him as a young man. He attended old McCoy and then Fulbright schools. There was always hard work to do on the farm, but he doubled up as school janitor and feeding the superintendent’s mink. Carl quit school in 1953 to marry Mary Katherine Northcutt. Except for a short time in Hobbs, NM, they lived near Fulbright and had two sons, Mike and Kenny. He worked various farm jobs and cut wood until starting with Kingfisher Boat in Clarksville. He excelled and was sent to other company factory sites to streamline boat manufacturing practices. On the side he operated commercial hay hauling trucks, and his crews made men out of many teenage boys. In about 1965 he began plumbing and left Kingfisher. In 1969 Mr. Baker married Lela Gertru Hopper of Avery. In Fulbright they blended families to finish raising their four youngest children. Together they built a home place with an unbelievably diverse farm and garden. He demonstrated the old skills that made a self-sufficient homestead possible from ground to table. The plumbing and carpentry business grew due to hard honest work and loyal customers. He was also the preferred FHA contractor who provided valuable home improvements to many families in Red River County. Everyone knew the red plumbing truck and his partner, step-son Larry. A heart attack in 1984 changed everything. He had to retire from plumbing and struggle with heart issues but he didn’t stop living. He and Gertru spent several years at Pat Mayes Lake as camp hosts and continuing to welcome friends and family. In 2007 they moved back full-time to their Fulbright home. He cared for his wife for three years after her stroke before they had to move to Regency Healthcare in 2013. No man is perfect, but Mr. Baker lived a life based on his faith in Christ. He was the fun person kids were drawn to and the rock friends wanted to spend time with. He judged men by their character, received all people, worked very hard, generously helped others, and left everything and everyone better than he found them. Funeral services are set for 6:00 p.m., Saturday, August 27, 2016, in Lindeman Chapel of Clarksville Funeral Home with Rev. Don Shovan and Don Slagle officiating. Burial will follow in Bethel Cemetery under the direction of Clarksville Funeral Home. The family will receive friends Saturday from 5:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Clarksville Funeral Home. Serving as pallbearers are: Shane Hopper, Hunter Jackson, Dan Weddle, Britt Scott, Robin Weddle, Brad Culpepper