John Douglas "Doug" Baker

John Douglas "Doug" Baker, age 90, passed away Saturday, August 2, 2008, at Simarron, a local care facility. He was born July 1, 1918, in Newark, NJ, to John D. and Isabel (Adams) Baker, and he married the former Katharine Hall on August 31, 1941, in Worcester, Massachusetts. She preceded him in death on August 12, 2006. Doug attended Grand Haven High School and was a member of the GHHS state championship basketball team in 1935. He was also a tennis doubles state champion that same year. He spent his college years at Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio and Harvard Business School. Mr. Baker served his country in the U.S. Navy during World War II as a supply officer aboard the U.S.S. Otus. He returned home to become a third generation owner and operator of D. Baker & Son Lumber Company. Doug loved playing golf and tennis and spending time with his beloved wife and family. He was an elder of First Presbyterian Church in Grand Haven and a member of the American Legion Charles A. Conklin Post #28. Doug served as a former president of the Spring Lake Country Club, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Grand Haven Kiwanis Club. An avid music lover, Doug played the saxophone and clarinet with many big bands including the Bob Warnaar Band and the Frank Lockage Orchestra in this area, and the TomKats in Treasure Island, Florida. He was recently elected to the first ever GHHS Hall of Fame in the category of Cultural/Performing Arts for his participation with these bands and his years of musical inspiration to others. Survivors include two daughters, Rachel (Walter Foote) Calderon of Grand Rapids and Ginny (Larry) McFadden of Grand Haven; two sons, Dick (Cindy) Baker and Bruce (Chris) Baker, both of Grand Haven; eight grandchildren: Luke, Melissa, Allison, Nada, Sarah, Sarah, Annie, and Dan; and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Katharine, and his brother, Charles Baker. The service for Doug will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 12, 2008, at First Presbyterian Church in Grand Haven with Rev. Karin Fowler officiating. Friends may meet the family 6-8 p.m. Monday, August 11, at VanZantwick Bartels Kammeraad Funeral Home in Grand Haven. Interment will be in Lakeshore Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Doug and Kathy Baker Foundation at the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation, www.ghacf.org, or to Hospice of North Ottawa Community, http://www.noch.org/hospice.html.