Ervin Coolidge Baker, age 97, passed from this life on November 22, 2024, in Lavalette, West Virginia. He was the son of James Aaron and Annie Edwards Baker. He was born in Upton, Missouri on February 19, 1927. Ervin was a long-time resident of Texas County Mo, and spent most of his life in the communities of Houston and Upton, MO. Ervin was well known throughout this part of Missouri and was a faithful member of the Highway 17 Church of Christ serving there as an Elder and leader at the congregation there for many years.
He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Aaron and Annie Baker, his sisters and their husbands, Irene and Bill Harris, an infant sister that died at birth, Bernice and Chub Reagan, Hazel and Lloyd Miles, and Freda and Elvin Lemons. He was also preceded in death by his loving wife Mary Baker, his infant son Kelvin Baker and his son Marty Baker.
Ervin is survived by his daughter Cassie Baker Gay and husband Greg of Edmond, OK, Wyn Baker and wife Michelle of Lavalette, WV; Daughter in law Jeri Baker of Houston, MO; Seven grandchildren: Chris Gay and wife Dana, of Fair Oaks, CA; Tye Gay, of Edmond, OK; Lori Owen and husband Justin of Edmond, OK; Jacinda Paulson and husband Joshua, of Redondo Beach, CA; Caleb Baker, and Kristen Gayer of Houston, MO; Bethany Baker of Spring Hill, TN; and Drew Baker of Lavalette, WV. Ervin had 13 great grandchildren: Hayden Gay and wife Lauren of Antelope, CA; Alex Gay and wife Julia of Citrus Heights, CA; Kelan Owen and wife Olivia of Edmond, OK; Livy, Maddy, and Noah Owen of Edmond, OK; Bellamy, Callahan, and Delaney Paulson of Redondo Beach, CA; Breely Gayer, Birklee Calhoun, and Marty Ray Baker all of Houston, MO; and a very special great granddaughter who was his play partner, Amelia Bauman of Lavalette WV who also called him Pop Pop. Interestingly, Ervin had grandchildren born in the 1970s, in the 1980s, in 1990s and in the 2000s. They all gave him a different name as he was first Papaw, next Papa, then Poppy, and last of all Pop Pop. Ervin also had many nieces and nephews who were special to him and many friends and family members both far and near
Ervin graduated from high school early in 1945 and volunteered to go into the Navy. He served in WW2 on the USS Springfield and USS Pasadena light cruiser ships in the south Pacific and on the Bon Homme Richard Aircraft Carrier in the Korean conflict. After his discharge, he came back to his home in Texas County where he lived for most of his life. Ervin was an inspiration to all who knew him. He was a godly, kind, and personable man who loved all people, regardless of who they were. He had an ability to make conversation with anybody and was always one to carry a contagious smile and an upbeat attitude. He married Mary Nadine Poor on April 12, 1953, and began his family living in Houston, MO. Ervin spent many years operating a bulldozer and worked on many farms and home places throughout Texas County. He had the reputation as one of best dozer operators when he was in the business. Due to health concerns, he sold his dozer in 1976 and began working in the real estate business. He became a very trusted agent in the Houston area and was successful making a living selling real estate until his retirement in 2012. Ervin owned farms and cattle throughout his life and enjoyed working on his farms and being outdoors. He was a lover of nature and loved to hunt. He hosted many on his farms during hunting season and made some great memories with close friends and relatives during those times. One of his favorite activities was taking his grand kids on tractor rides. He loved all kids, and he spent a lot of time making a positive impact on his grandkids. He enjoyed making a garden and watching his flowers grow. He loved to watch birds and squirrels play in his yard. He did many funny things to attract the animals to his yard. He was also known to trap and paint squirrels and their tails blue on occasion. Ervin greatly loved his family and always made sure they were well provided for in their raising. Perhaps his greatest love of all was the care and keeping of the Lord’s church and doing what he could for its betterment in the Houston area and abroad. He served many years as an elder in the church and was depended upon for his great wisdom and godly advice in spiritual matters. He and his wife Mary raised their children to know the priority of Jesus Christ and His church. The church always came first in the Baker home. When the church doors were open, Ervin and his family were going to be there if at all possible. Ervin taught his family to live the Christian life not just as a Sunday routine, but as an everyday responsibility. He was a definite example of this in his own life and he lived it until the day he took his last breath. He was saddened when it became needful for him to move away from his lifelong home in Missouri to West Virginia. He moved there to live with his son, Wyn, and his family. He soon settled in and became a great blessing to Wyn and his family and was a blessing to the congregation at Garretts Creek in Wayne, WV where he attended. As Ervin’s health declined, he endured a lot of health challenges and eventually became bedfast. At this point it is necessary to mention that it was Michelle, Wyn’s wife, who became his everyday primary caretaker. There are not enough words to relate what Ervin thought of Michelle and how he loved her so much for the way she took care of him in his last days. All in Ervin’s family deeply appreciates her for what she did for him, and how well he was taken care of by her. While he was not at his home in Missouri, Michelle made sure all his needs were met 24/7 and she did her very best to make him feel at home while he stayed in her home in West Virginia. In summary, Ervin Baker’s life represents everything that is good and holy in this life. His life-long example of being a Christian shows a clear pathway leading to a greater life that is to come. He believed in this great hope of eternal life in Jesus Christ, and he lived it for many years after his conversion. We know he will surely be missed, but we firmly believe his reward awaits. From the family of Ervin, we want express special thanks to all of the many wonderful nurses, health care workers, the Veteran’s Administration and to Hospice of Huntington, for all their help with Ervin’s healthcare these past few years. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be given to Hospice of Huntington, WV.
A visitation with memorial service will be held at Evans Funeral Home in Houston, MO on November 29, 2024. Visitation will begin at 11:00am with a memorial service beginning at 12:00pm. Burial will be at Pine Lawn Cemetery in Houston, MO following the memorial service. It is also being planned that his memorial service will be shown on Facebook Live via Wyn Baker’s Facebook account on this day.
