Orlin Baker

1916 - 2014

Orlin Norris Baker was born July 6, 1916, to Edwin P. and Clara Nyhagen Baker at the family farm in Kenyon, Minn. He entered into eternal life on Oct. 8, 2014, with his wife Nellie and sons, Ed and Paul by his side.

Orlin graduated from Kenyon High School in 1934 and attended college in Milwaukee, Wis., prior to enlisting in the Army Air Corps on Feb. 1, 1941. He served during World War II as a radio operator intercepting Japanese radio transmissions in the Aleutian Islands, Alaska.
On Dec. 28, 1946, Orlin married Rosemary Janecek and to this union eight children were born. They chose La Luz for Orlin to build their home and raise their family where he lived until two years ago when he and Nellie moved to Alamogordo. He was one of the founding fathers of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Alamogordo where he attended and remained active up until his death.
Orlin was married to Ruth Wade from 1980 until her death in 1999. On Jan. 17, 2001, Orlin ran off to Las Vegas where he eloped with his water-aerobics instructor, Nellie Cleland. Nellie and Orlin spent the past 13 years traveling, being involved in their church, the senior center and gardening.
As an electrical engineer, Orlin was employed at Holloman Air Force Base and White Sands Missile Range by Lockheed, Land-Air, and Dyna-Electron until he retired. He was a kind and gentle man who was a good and faithful servant of God. He was an avid gardener, woodcarver, carpenter and an overall artistic person who tried his hand at many things including oil painting and stained glass. Orlin was always active, which was evident when he was enrolled in Tai Chi classes at the age of 95.

Preceding him in death were his parents; wife, Rosemary; sons, Jansen and Michael Baker; grandson, Daniel Brugh; second wife, Ruth; brother, Stanley Baker, and sister, Evelyn Little.

Those left behind to cherish his memory include his wife, Nellie; sister, Irene Herberg; children, Kathy (Larry) Brugh of Stewartstown, Penn.; Edward (Esther) Baker of La Luz; Patricia (Tom) Hardy of Jacksonville, Fla.; Stephen (Karen) Baker of Tuttle, Okla; Paul (Tina) Baker of Las Cruces; Brian (Susan) Baker of Marlborough, Mass.; stepchildren, Carl (Sharon) Cleland of Albuquerque and Yvonne (Sam) Taylor of Dallas, Texas; 18 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A celebration of his life will be held Saturday, Oct. 18, 2014, at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 1212 Washington, Alamogordo. Visitation will be at 9 a.m.and the celebration of his life at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at Monte Vista Cemetery followed by a reception at Our Savior Lutheran Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice in Orlin's name.

The Baker family has entrusted their loved one to the Hamilton O'Dell Funeral Home to direct the arrangements. To sign the online register book, please visit www.hamiltonodell.com.