FRANKLIN BAKER

FRANKLIN MONROE BAKER, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, October 18, 2013 at the age of 100. He was born July 3, 1913 in New Madrid, Missouri. He was the son of Benjamin Baker and Susan Monroe Broughton Baker. Frank graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School in St. Louis, MO in January 1931 at the depth of the Great Depression. After School Frank worked in a neighborhood Pharmacy and after graduation he went to work for Walgreen's in St. Louis full time. In 1935 Frank started working for Carmen Company, a laundry and dry cleaning supply company. In October of 1936, he was transferred to Houston, Texas and worked for Carmen Company until 1954. He then went into the dry cleaning and laundry business with "My own Cleaners". He later became part of the Pilgrim franchise and then established Puritan Cleaners. Frank served as President of the Houston Dry Clearing Association and the State of Texas Association. He was also an active member of the National Dry Cleaning Association. Frank was very active and devoted in his church, St. Mark United Methodist, where he taught Sunday school for many years and was Chairman of the Church Board and Building Committee. He was also a member of the Heights Rotary Club. Frank was honored in June, 2011 for his 65 year membership by the Gray masonic Lodge of Houston. He became a member of the Masonic Lodge of Fabens. Frank was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Evelyn Heckel and his brother Charlie Baker and also his wives Laura Baker and Helen Langley Baker. Frank is survived by his loving wife, Pat Surratt Baker, whom he married in 1993. He moved to El Paso where he began a new life adventure. Frank and Pat are active members of St. Luke United Methodist Church and they loved to travel and play bridge with their friends. He is also survived by his son Ronald Baker (Ruta Baker) and his daughter Susie Baker Adams (John L. Adams) and his stepson Chuck Slagle (Cleo Slagle) and their family. Frank had five grandchildren, Ronda Von Sehrwald (Frank Von Sehrwald), Russelll Baker (Debbie Baker), Randy Baker (Melissa Baker), John Ross Adams (Emily Adams), and Elise Adams Harper (Jonathan Harper). His nine great-grandchildren are Heather Baker, Ian and Laura Baker, Anton Von Sehrwald, Caroline and Ellison Adams, and Luke, Brooks, and Jack Harper. Frank had two very special nephews and a niece. They are Dennis Baker (Martha Baker), Tim Baker (Mimi Baker) and Judy Sturm. When Frank and Pat married he became an adopted uncle to the Surratt family. He was called "Uncle Frank" and they spent many happy times together. Only his faith in God came before his family. He will always be remembered for his positive, uplifting, optimist spirit and his patience. His philosophy in life was to always "Bloom where you are planted". And when asked how his day was he would say, "Everyday is a GOOD day". The family is so grateful for his precious and patient caregivers, Elvita Gutierrez, Alma Rodriguez, Rosa Saucedo and Perfecta Sanchez. Services will be Monday, October 21, 2013 at 10:00 A.M. at St. Luke United Methodist Church, 9915 Montwood Dr. Interment will follow at Evergreen East Cemetery, 12400 Montana Ave. Pallbearers are Russell Baker, Randy Baker, Frank Von Sehrwald, John R. Adams, Jonathan Harper and Alan Surratt. Honorary Pallbearers are Members of the Wednesday Morning Breakfast Club. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to St. Luke United Methodist Church, 9915 Montwood Dr., El Paso, TX. 79925. Service arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Funeraria Del Angel Martin East, 1460 George Dieter Dr., El Paso, TX., 79936. 915-855-8881. www.martinfuneralhomeeast.com