Marshall Barry Baker

Westside Farmer MARSHALL BARRY BAKER

Marshall Barry Baker was born on August 16, 1940, in Madera, CA and passed away on Monday February 9 2004. He was preceded in death by his father Bill Baker of Chowchilla and also by his business partner and best friend of 30+ years, Robert Hansen. Marshall grew up in Chowchilla and graduated from high school in 1958, and then started a long career in farming. He sharpened his skills on the family farm in Dairyland until 1974, when he moved his farming operation to the Westside. He and Robert along with each of their sons, Barry and Byron Baker and Rick and Brian Hansen, started Hillside Farms and grew a variety of crops. Marshall was also very instrumental in the construction of the Panoche Cotton Gin. After Robert passed , Marshall formed a family business that is still thriving today. Baker Farming Company is comprised of pomegranates, vineyards, and almond orchards. He was also a partner in West Valley Hulling, and Hughson Nut He really did love to farm, the act of planting a seed and watching it grow. He loved life & enjoyed it fully. He recently fulfilled a lifelong dream of sailing down the Pacific Coast to Mexico. Marshall is survived by his by his mother, Lorene Baker of Chowchilla; sisters, Madeline Baker and Betty Martinazzi and her husband Vernon; brother, David Baker; son, Barry Baker and his wife Cindy, and their children Joshua, Katie, Lindsey and Alexis; son, Byron Baker and his wife Cheryl, and their children Justin and Elizabeth; and daughter, Sharla Gonzalez and her husband Jimmy, and their children Destiny and Jimmny Jr. His final days were spent in his Fresno home with his caring companion, Margaret Gonzales and her daughters Crystal and Marina. Everyone he knew and loved was with him and by his side until the very end. We would like to thank all of the the medical staff who assisted him in his care and everyone's prayers that made his passing a very peaceful one. In Lieu of flowers or gifts, remembrances may be made to Hinds Hospice 559-248-8591 (bevythindshospice.com) or American Cancer Society 1-800-ACS-2345 (www.cancer.org.) Visitation will be held at Wordens Funeral Chapel in Chowchilla on Thursday, February 12, 2004, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. A Funeral Service will be held at The Cathedral of Faith in Chowchilla on Friday, February 13, 2004, at 10:00 a.m. A Graveside Service will be at Chowchilla Cemetery. Brother Sabin will be presiding over all of the services. A lunch in honor of Marshall B. Baker will be held at the Chowchilla S.F.A. (portueguese Hall) following the Graveside Service. "He who plants a seed beneath the sod and waits for it to grow Believes in God."