Richard "Dick" Baker

VISITATION UPDATE
Richard "Dick" Baker
August 1928 - December 2014
Richard, an avid train fan, boarded his last train, December 29, 2014.
Richard was born in Berkeley, California, The son of Raymond and Mildred Baker. He attended elementary school in Oakland. The family moved to San Andreas, where he attended high school and was active on the tennis team.
In 1945 the family moved to Delhi, Richard graduated from Livingston High School in 1946. He had a small herd of milk cows before he met and married Romana Runner in 1947. They bought a ranch, farmed walnuts for 60 years and worked 32 years as a rural mail carrier. Richard and Ramona raised four daughters, traveled in Mexico, Europe, Japan, New Zealand and Canada. They were members of the Ballico Senior Club and the Ballico Pinochle Club.
Richard was a member of the Oakland Live Steamers and Sacramento Live Steamers. He had his own train, which could pull 6-8 passengers at train shows and also on the track in his own backyard. He was a member of Turlock Seniors, Turlock Sirs, Member of Delhi School Board and President of Ballico Seniors.
He married Christine Carroll Hackney in 1996. They toured Eastern and Western Canada, enjoying several rides on the Rocky Mountaineer, Norway, China, Panama Canal and many more tours of America riding trains at every opportunity.
When Alzheimer's took more control of his live, they moved to Samaritan Village in Hughson. There he became the candy man, loved the reactions from the ladies when he would ask, "May I give you a kiss," then offer Hershey kisses. He also loved being pushed around the village with Aubree on his lap.
The family is grateful for the love and kindness from all at the village and personnel at Turlock Nursing and Rehab.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Mildred Baker of Delhi; his first wife Ramona Runner Baker of Delhi; Sister and Brother in law, Betty and John Snyder of Farmington.
He is survived by his loving wife of 18 years, Christine Baker, Samaritan Village Hughson; Children: Kay Baker, Roseville; Anne (Les) Quinn, Galt; Debby (Richard Olney) Delco, Portland, Oregon; Patty (Steve) Hymiller, Merced; Marcus (Julie) Hackney, Delhi; Mike (Chelsae) Hackney, Woodland; and Marge Crawford, Roseville.
Grandchildren: Amanda Alley, Roseville; William Dickey, Folsom; Jennifer (Richard) Reiser, Lodi; Robert (Tawnya) Quinn, Galt; Chad Delco, Portland , Oregon; Matthew Delco, San Francisco; Nicole Hymiller, Merced; Ashley Hymiller, Merced; Stephanie Hymiller, Elk Grove; Adam Hackney, Turlock; Nicholas (Amanda) Hackney, Turlock; Ashley (Lonny) Gerhardt, Ceres; Cory Custer, Merced; Garrett Hackney, Delhi; Andrew Mann, Wisconsin.
Great Grandchildren: Gabriella Alley, Roseville; Tyler Alley, Roseville; Ava Alley, Roseville; Laura Quinn, Galt; Andrew Quinn, Galt; Nicholas Reiser, Lodi; Jayson Whitesel, Turlock; Hailey Whitesel, Turlock; Aubree Gerhardt, Ceres; and Caroline Hackney, Turlock.
Nieces and Nephews: Mary Ann (Les) Strojan, Paul, Kathleen and Andy Strojan, Farmington; Janet Adamek, Yoakum, Texas; Susan Batson, Fatonia, Texas; Joanne Randall, Valley Springs.
Son in Laws: Wayne (Lisa Morana) Dickey, Rocklin; David (Pamela Swensen) Delco, Turlock.
Special Friends: Tony (Susana) Moules, Delhi; Bonny Mead, Delhi; Bob Silva, Merced; and the many other family, extended family and friends.
Visitation will be held Friday, January 9th from 4pm - 6pm at Allen Mortuary.
Services will be held January 10, 2015 at 10:00am at Allen Mortuary; interment to follow at Turlock Memorial Park.  A celebration of life will be held at Samaritan Village in Hughson, sometime next month.
Please share your memories and condolences at
www.AllenMortuary.com
www.cvobituaries.com