Randolph John Baker

Randolph John Baker obituary, Salinas, CA

Randolph John Baker

Randolph Baker Obituary

Obituary published on Legacy.com by Struve and Laporte Funeral Chapel on Aug. 25, 2023.

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Randolph John Baker
November 13, 1957-August 18, 2023
Randy was born in Buffalo, New York and moved with his family to Glendale, California at three years old. When he and his siblings were orphaned after the death of their young mother, he spent two years in Michigan with family, a year in New York with his father, and spent the last two of his teenaged years with a benevolent foster family in Spreckels, California and graduated from Salinas Valley High School. Randy then spent the next two years of his life with his brothers Donald and Scott in Salinas, California and would remain in Salinas for the remainder of his life. Over 30 years of employment at the Blanco Shell gas station and convenience store, he enjoyed cashiering. Loved by his managers, coworkers, and customers, Randy was a man of few words, but could tell a good joke when he felt like it. Away from work, Randy was a consummate race fan and enjoyed going to the Laguna Seca Racetrack. He built his own computer to enjoy e-racing and one wall of his home displayed racing posters. His other wall was decorated with his own paintings. Randy said it helped to pass the time. He built a few guitars and played his guitars daily, learned to read music on his own, and could expertly play rhythm and bass guitars. He delighted his (Texas residing) sister Annette with "The Yellow Rose of Texas" playing his mandolin on numerous occasions. An avid reader with a wide scope of interests, his intelligence was hidden by his quiet demeanor. Randy bravely fought cancer enduring major surgery at Stanford with his only goal to heal and return to work as soon as possible which he did. Unfortunately, between chemo treatments and the disease, he succumbed quickly though courageously. Randy was a respectful, quiet man who never complained and never said a bad word about anyone or anything. Randy will be missed by family, friends, and his work family. He leaves behind sister Annette Navarrete of Rockwall, Texas, her daughter Hazel Navarrete, brother Donald Baker of Klamath Falls, Oregon with his wife, Anita Baker, their daughter Ruth Anne Elizabeth Baker, and grandson Mason Young. Also grieving his loss is brother William Scott Baker, nephews Christopher and James Baker, niece Amanda Smith and her four children, numerous cousins in both California and New York as well as his only living aunt, Ruth Bonnette of Franklin, Louisiana.
Donations in his name to the American Cancer Society are welcome.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Struve and Laporte Funeral Chapel

41 W. San Luis Street, Salinas, CA 93901

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