William Carl Baker, Jr., the oldest child, was called J.R. by his family. He was a World War II vet wounded in the Phillipines. Through the 50s and 60s he was a member of the Missouri Army National Guard commanding the local unit as a Lieutenant Colonel. He was the founder of Bill Baker Insurance and was for a time the mayor of Warrensburg.
Leona Baker, was the the mother of six. She was born in Oklahoma Territory to the Narron family. According to Buddy she was a wonderful woman and a great cook. She could take nothing and make a fine meal for eight.
William Carl Baker (called Carl), was the town's iceman. Although he lived into the 1960s, he never learned to operate a car. He drove a horse and wagon for his ice delivery business and for the Daily Star Journal when they needed someone to drive their team in parades.
Back row left to right:
Robert L. (Buddy) Baker worked most of his life as a printer for the Daily Star Journal and Central Missouri State. He's currently the volunteer groundskeeper at the Historical Society.
Neomia May (May May) Baker married George Taraba. Together they ran the Western Auto store in Knob Noster. May May currently lives in Harmony Gardents in Warrensburg.
Blanche Joan (Jo Ann), the baby of the family, was named after Blanch Russell, co-owner of the Russell Brother's clothing stores. She married Joe Scalf and moved to Kansas City where, along with her daughter, she ran several restaurants.
Alberta Baker married Joe Hensley and moved to Grain Valley.
Albert Baker, twin brother of Alberta, was a Korean War veteran. He was the First Sergeant of the 635th Aviation Batallion, Missouri Army National Guard for many years. Most people knew him as the sextant of Sunset Hills Cemetery.
Joan and Alberta died within weeks of each other in 2010. Albert followed them in 2011.
Interesting story.
ReplyDeleteLove these stories. Keep them coming.
ReplyDeleteWent to WHS with Joan, we both graduated in 1951.
ReplyDeleteI never knew this about Blanche until just now. thank you so much.
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