Gail J. Baker

Gail J. Baker, age 88, of Salt Lake City, passed away May 1, 2007 at his home in Salt Lake of cancer. He was born January 7, 1919 in Bicknell, Utah, a son of Clarence John and Dora Sophia Behunin Baker. When he was 8, his mother died and he went to live with his Baker Grandparents. He served as Student Body President and graduated from Wayne High School and attended Carbon College. He was a lifetime member of the DAV. In WWII, Gail sailed out of New York, serving his country with the 41st Infantry Division in New Guinea. It was the first division to leave the US after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He received the rank of sergeant. Gail married Winona Smith, March 22, 1945 in Salt Lake City. After his discharge from the service, they moved to Bicknell and established the Dry Cleaners. He was a member of the Lion’s Club and the American Legion. In 1954, he began a 26 year career with Mountain Fuel, beginning as a meter reader and retiring as the Office Building Supervisor. Gail was involved with the installation and operation of the total energy system in the new building which was among the first solid state controlled total energy systems in the United States. When the first computers were installed in the building, Gail oversaw the massive wiring system needed to relay and gather the information from offices to computers and kept the machines at 59 degree. In those days, the computers were installed in one room and were massive, noisy machines that generated a lot of heat. He was a member of the American Institute of Plant Engineers. When he retired, Gail and Winona moved to LaVerkin, Utah. He enjoyed living there, rock hunting, working with wood, traveling, camping and spending time with his family. He was a fantastic Dad, Grandpa and Husband. He was sealed to his family April 4, 2007 in the Jordan River Temple. Gail is survived by his children: Carol and Keith Moosman, Robert Blain and Krista Baker, 4 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Winona and 4 siblings. Grave side services will be held Saturday, May 26, 2007 at 1:00 P.M. in the Bicknell Cemetery. Friends may call for viewing at the Forest View LDS Ward Chapel, 1111 East Charlton Avenue (approx. 1100 East and 2800 South), Thursday, May 24, 2007 from 6 to 7 P.M. Burial will be in the Bicknell Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield, Salina and Gunnison, Utah.