Roger Clyde Baker
Roger Clyde Baker

Roger Clyde Baker passed away on Tuesday, January 9, 2018, of complications from pneumonia at the age of 52. Even though he made an extraordinary effort to beat the disease and to recover from the related breathing treatment, he simply was not able to do so.

Roger, the youngest of six children in the Baker family, was born on May 20, 1965, in the hospital at NAS Lemoore, CA. He was born with mental and physical handicaps that challenged him throughout his life.

He was preceded in death by his mother Barbara Jean Baker who passed away in February 2015. He is survived by his father Clyde Baker of Lemoore, and his brothers and sisters, Arlene Baker-Roosevelt of Hanford, Mike Baker of Houston, TX, Paul Baker of Seattle, WA, Gail Baker-Empert, of Lemoore, and Teresa Baker of Lemoore, as well as a number of extended family members who live generally in the Lemoore – Hanford area and throughout the US.

Roger attended elementary school at Neutra and Akers Schools on NAS Lemoore and attended high school at Lemoore Union High, where he graduated in 1984. After graduating, he moved to Visalia, CA where he lived in several different group homes over the years until recently when he moved to a group home in Porterville, CA in late 2017.

Roger led an extraordinary life. In spite of his mental and physical challenges, he had a very broad reach that touched many people in very positive ways. He had a very optimistic outlook on life and always had a smile on his face. He was a kind, caring, generous and witty person. Roger loved to tell jokes. He was a true fan of Johnny Cash and the impactful music that was an inspiration to him. Roger loved to travel, going on annual trips with his older brother Paul to places as far-flung as Canada, Mexico, Alaska, New York, Hawaii and yes, even Las Vegas, but, as you know, “What Happened in Vegas, Stays in Vegas.” Roger had many hidden talents, including his amazing, spot-on impersonations of Elvis, Johnny Cash, and Frank Sinatra, and he had a creative flare for drawing and poster making, as well as his knack for creating costumes that he loved to wear at various events.

Roger had an exhaustive memory bank of movie trivia. He fascinated family and friends with his accurate recollection of obscure movie roles and factoids surrounding the actors. He could always be relied on to recall family memories, dates and events, keeping the rest of the family members memories in check.

A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at the Lemoore First United Methodist Church on Bush St. in Lemoore on Thursday, February 1, 2018, at 11 AM. He will be laid to rest alongside his mother, during a private family gathering at the San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery in Santa Nella, CA the following day on Friday, February 2, 2018, at 11:30 AM