Bobby Baker

Bobby Baker passed away on May 29 in Ankeny, Iowa at the age of 93. Bobby was born on November 9, 1927 to Samuel and Ruth (Phillips) Baker of Stanberry, Missouri.

Bobby was blessed with a loving family throughout his life. He had two sons, Norman (“Butch”) and Michael with his first wife, Gloria. Life is a journey, and in 1982 Bobby married Linda Cooper. He immediately became a second father to Linda’s 6-year old daughter, Amy, and very quickly fathered two new children, Bonny and Patrick.

Bobby’s life was full of twists and turns. His education began on the family farm and continued for a time in a one-room schoolhouse. When finished with school, Bobby enlisted in the Army towards the latter part of WWII, where he quickly rose to the rank of Staff Sgt. Following his time in the Army, Bobby did...pretty much everything. Bartender, cab driver, factory worker, seller of insurance and RVs, musician, Polk County Sheriff’s captain, private investigator, Polk County Chief Environmental Health Specialist, booking agent, show producer — to name a few. And all without any formal secondary education or college degrees. Or student loans.

The world has never known such a kind, witty, loving, hard-working rascal of a man. Of all his life accomplishments, the thing he was proudest of was his family. Bobby was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Gazel; and his sons, Norman and Michael. Bobby is survived by his wife, Linda; daughters, Amy (Chris) Fritz and Bonny (Dusty) Beenen; son, Patrick (Chasity); as well as eleven grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; brother, Frank (Linda); sister-in-law, Gloria Cooper; daughter-in-law, Dottie; ex-wife, Gloria; and not to mention countless others whose lives he touched.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, June 9, 2021 at Lutheran Church of Hope, 925 Jordan Creek Parkway, West Des Moines. Visitation will be held from 5:00 – 8:00 pm on Tuesday, June 8, 2021 at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Ave., Des Moines. (See live stream link below obituary).

Burial with military honors will follow services at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery.

Memorials may be directed to the family for a cause close to Bobby's heart, the IEBA Educational Outreach Fund, a scholarship for up and coming entertainment business majors.

Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

Live Stream of Bobby Baker's service

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