Carl Baker

Carl Dean Baker was born in Leachville, Arkansas, on November 12, 1934, to Opal Myrtle and Carl James Baker, and died on December 22, 2016, of congestive heart failure.

Carl is preceded in death by his wife of 41 years, Joyce Ann (Wells) Baker, and two brothers Kenny and Bob Baker. He is survived by his sister, Joyce (Dean) Doyle, and his daughters Julie Gibson, Cindy (Matt) Fleagle, Diane Wagner (Jim Moon), and Linda (Bruce, deceased) Agan, and a son Roy Baker. He had many grandchildren: Kelly Mull, Mindy Reed, Grace Crabb, Brandon Kusel, Jason Kusel, Sara Flesch, Abbie Agan, Brad Agan (deceased), and Blayne Agan. He even had 7 great-grandchildren; Cody Reed, Peyton Reed, Spencer Flesch, Nora Flesch, Rhylan Agan, and Ayden Laws.

When Carl was 17, he joined the Navy. He served on the U.S.S. Philip for 4 years during the Korean War. He visited many international ports during his tour.

On January 1, 1975, Carl married Joyce at a small church ceremony. Together they blended their families, she with three daughters, and he, a daughter and a son.

Carl retired from DICO Industries after 30 years, when he was 55. After retirement, Carl established a coin changer repair business, and he and Joyce bought a laundromat and a car wash, and started their entrepreneurial years that lasted until their deaths. Over the years, Carl and Joyce bought and sold several car washes, and a laundromat and then started investing in rental properties, and a mobile home park. Carl continued to run the coin changer repair/car wash supply business, while Joyce managed the properties. They wouldn’t have had it any other way.

For fun and exercise Carl rode his bike in RAGBRAI for 15 years. They purchased a used RV, and took 10 friends every summer for a week on the great bike ride across Iowa. Joyce cooked, drove the RV, did the laundry and cleaned, and met them from destination to destination. They made countless memories and friends during their excursions. They even threw a Ragbrai party for all their bike crew each January, because Carl loved the ride so much, and enjoyed seeing his good friends half way through the year.

After Joyce passed away in 2014, Carl continued to manage the properties and live in his home. Although life was never the same for Carl without Joyce.

Visitation will be held Monday, December 26, 2016 from 5:00-7:00 p.m., at the funeral home. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am, Tuesday, December 27, 2016 at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Ave., Des Moines. Burial will take place at 9:30 am, on Wednesday, December 28 at Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meter, IA.
Online condolences can be expressed at www.hamiltonsfuneralhome.com

Print