Gary Lee Baker Obituary (1953

Minonk- Gary Lee Baker, 70, of Minonk, passed away on Monday December 18, 2023, at FonDulac Nursing and Rehabilitation in East Peoria. Cremation has been accorded and a celebration of life will be held at a later date. Calvert-Johnson & Froelich Memorial Home in Minonk is handling arrangements. Memorials may be given to the family. Gary was born in Streator on February 22, 1953, a son to Ray T. and Ruby E. Odell Baker. Surviving is his daughter, Darcee Brown, Atlanta, IL; grandchildren, Xavier Brown, Marquet Hayes, Kirsten Grant, Anijia Grant, Cortez Grant; 2 great-grandchildren, Samia and Malaysia Thornton; and sister, Sandy Hardt, Streator. He was preceded in death by his parents, and 4 brothers. Gary was a peace loving hippie. Most of the time you would see him In a pair of cut off shorts and a red bandana tied around his head to keep the sweat away. For lots of years, he worked at Mccormick Contracting, but most people knew Gary as a jack of all trades ! He loved nothing more than going. Fishing , Hunting and walk in the river for hours in searching for the biggest rocks. Later in life, he spent a lot of time in his garden. He was pretty sure he should have won the garden of the month ! Gary Baker was the Teller of stories. There is never a time that you couldn't stop and talk to him , And he would always have a story to tell you. He never met a stranger. Gary leaves behind a whole lot of nieces and nephews all who will tell you they had the best uncle in the world ! To know him was to love him !