Larry George Baker

Larry George Baker, age 75, of Merlin, Oregon died December 11, 2018.



Larry was born May 19, 1943 in Warren, Oregon, to parents Valletta & Richard Baker. He graduated from Del Norte High School in 1961, then went to San Francisco State College, where he played football and graduated in 1966 with a Bachelors of Arts. He earned his Masters in Education from Southern Oregon College in 1972 and was one of the last to receive credentials to teach all subjects.



Larry was a teacher and coach, beginning at Scenic Junior High School in Central Point. He then moved to Roseburg where he taught and coached football at Roseburg High School. After returning to Central Point, he taught and coached football and finished his athletic career coaching track and field all at Crater High School. In 1999 he moved from Central Point to Merlin where he met and married his wife, Pattie in September 2000. Larry most recently was asked to coach hurdles at Fleming Middle School last year and so loved the opportunity. Larry cherished the idea of trying to save kids and worked very hard to accomplish that goal.



Larry loved fishing and hunting and had many many great stories. He also enjoyed camping and traveling around the United States.



His family and friends will always remember him as a passionate person that worked hard at his job, loved his family, and enjoyed his down time.



Survivors include his wife, Pattie Baker of Merlin; daughter, Terri (Michael Ferguson) Baker of Eugene, Oregon; son, Scott (Racheal) Baker of Bend, Oregon; two stepsons, Nicholas (Annie Hinkes) Tomasini of Portland, Oregon and Nathan Tomasini of Grants Pass, Oregon; three sisters, Barbara (Dan) Sousa of Los Osos, California, Monica (Fred) Pentt of Hoquiam, Washington, and Shelly (Jim) Bauserman of Kalama, Washington; two brothers, Don (Michele) Wagner of Rainier, Oregon and Ransom (Diane) Wagner of LaCenter, Washington; and five grandchildren, Ethan Ferguson, Jack Ferguson, Austin Baker, Abby Baker, and Airidyn Tomasini.



He was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, Fred Wagner and Ron Wagner.



A celebration of life will be at 1:00 p.m., Sunday, January 20, 2019 at the Grants Pass Golf Club, 230 Espey Road, Grants Pass. Please join the family and share your stories of Larry.



In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to your local high school athletics program.