Kenneth Dean Baker Sr.

Kenneth Dean Baker, Sr., Captain U. S. Navy (retired) of Bonner County, passed away Sunday, June 12, 2016 with his wife, Helen Williams Baker by his side. Ken Baker was born in Wieppe, Idaho on May 20, 1936 to Elmer Baker and Opal Sackett Baker. While growing up, Ken lived and worked on the family farm in Wieppe. He attended school locally, graduating from Wieppe High School in 1954. He attended University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho graduating in 1959 with a degree in Psychology. Ken enlisted in the US Navy and was commissioned as an Ensign in 1960. While in the Navy, Ken served two sea tours on ships deployed to Vietnam during that war. He served aboard the USS Thomaston, USS Ranger and the USS America. The Navy sent Ken to Cornell University from 1975-1977 to earn his Masters in Business Administration. He served in the US Navy for twenty-four years, retiring in 1984. Following his service in the Navy, Ken worked for several defense contractors in Virginia, other states and overseas. Ken met his wife, Helen, in 1993 in Norfolk, Virginia. They moved to Sandpoint in 1998. He is survived by his wife, Helen, four sons, Kenneth Baker Jr. (Anne) of Virginia, Kyle Baker (Janet) of North Carolina, Kurt Baker of Virginia, Korey Baker of Georgia (Tina), daughter Kimmerly Baker of Virginia, step-daughter Sandra Williams-Dick of Idaho and five grandchildren, Ryan Baker (Caitlin), Carrie Baker, Jack Baker, Anna Baker, and Megan Baker (of England). A gathering service will be held on August 6, 2016 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm at a location to be announced later.