Fred A. Baker, age 89, graduated from the University of Life on December 10, 2015, with a degree in contributing to society. He was born February 27, 1926 in Provo, Utah to Frank A. and Myrtle S. Baker. Any success he achieved in life he attributed to them. The family, including his older sister, Betty, moved to Ogden while he was still an infant. He attended Madison Elementary School, Central Jr. High School, and finished at Ogden High School in 1943. He always appreciated the great teachers who helped shape his early years. Since the country was then involved in WWII, he immediately enlisted as a Naval Aviation Cadet and was trained to be a Naval Carrier pilot: His squadron was on the way to the Pacific Theater when the war ended. Since their training was complete, the pilots were sent home on inactive duty for a period of 2 years before they were discharged. While at home, he attended the University of Utah on the GI Bill and finished with a degree in Banking and Finance. He then began a career in banking in Ogden which lasted 20 years. In 1958 he was working at Commercial Security as a Vice President. In 1949 he married Betty Peterson of Ogden in the Salt Lake Temple. Betty was a very talented musician and touched many hearts through her beautiful voice. They are parents of five children who blessed their marriage: Brent, Jonay, Adele, Alayne, Bruce, and a Navajo foster child, Terry Lane. Freds first contribution was in his devotion to the family. They were his most important responsibility and his love and caring for them continued throughout his life. The family enjoyed horses and was able to purchase several and could keep them close enough to home to be able to ride together most evenings in the foothills. It was great family fun. Ultimately an opportunity came to purchase a registered Spanish Andalusian Stallion LaPoinio VI who was the first of this breed in Utah. Later two registered Andalusian mares were purchased and the family then bred and raised Andalusians. LaPonio VI was trained as a show horse and gave many exhibitions at horse shows throughout the west, ridden by daughter Alayne. While pursuing his banking career, Fred took the opportunity to contribute to the Ogden Community. Over time he served as an officer or board member of the following organizations: Ogden Red Cross, United Fund, Ogden Chamber, Ogden Community Council, Salvation Army, and Kiwanis Club. In 1965 he was awarded the Ogden Non Nobis Solum Award for Meritorious Community service over those many years. In 1962 an opportunity came to Fred and his close friends, Roy Nelson and Ralph Benowitz to purchase the Snow Basin ski area. Skiing was becoming a popular family sport and they were able to develop many new runs and build several new ski lifts. They operated the area for 12 years with Roy managing the business during that time. Again it was a delightful experience for the family. Fred was very active in the LDS Church serving in assignments too numerous to list as a teacher, advisor, High Council member, Bishop, and Stake President over his lifetime. In 1965 he was asked by the First Presidency of the LDS Church to work fulltime for the church as Vice President of the Church Building Committee. Later he was named Chairman of the committee and was then named Managing Director of the Churchs Physical Facilities Department with worldwide responsibility for the church building program. He served in that capacity for 26 years, retiring in 1991. At his retirement it was noted that his contributions to the church were unique with several thousand meetinghouse projects having been finished during his employment. Those facilities have and will touch many lives. In addition to his physical facilities assignment he was also asked to fill the following church positions as a committee member; Real Estate Committee, Historical Sites Committee, Data Processing Committee, and Gift Evaluation Committee. He was a member of the Church Farm Management Company. In 1975 he was asked to become a member of the Board of Directors of the Polynesian Cultural Center in Hawaii. That assignment entailed 2 meeting each year at the center and gave an opportunity for the family to also visit. Many wonderful experiences and close friendships resulted. That assignment became a marvelous experience for the whole family. He served in that capacity for 19 years before retiring. Throughout his life and in whatever capacity he could, he contributed in a meaningful way to the world and local community and to those people around him. His dear wife, Betty, passed away in 1996 and he was also preceded in death by his parents, a son, Brent, and a grandson, Craig. He is survived by his children Jonay, Adele (Don) Stanford, Alayne (Jonathan) Fairbanks, Brue (Pauline) Baker, and Navajo foster son, Terry Lane, and an older sister Betty Bunker. He has eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. There will be a viewing from 6:00 to 8:00 pm Wednesday, December 16, 2015 at Leavitts Mortuary, 836 36th St., Ogden. Funeral Services will be held Thursday, December 17, 2015 at the Burch Creek 1st Ward building, 5161 S. 1300 E., South Ogden at 11:00 a.m. The family will greet friends from 9:45 to 10:45 am prior to the service. Interment will be at Memorial Gardens of the Wasatch. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the LDS Perpetual Education Fund. Visitation Information Date: Wednesday, December 16, 2015 Time: 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Leavitt's Mortuary Address: 836 36th Street , , Ogden, UT, 84403 801-394-5556 | Map Leavitts Mortuary 836 - 36th St. Ogden, UT There will be a viewing prior to the service from 9:45 am to 10:45 am Service Information Date: Thursday, December 17, 2015 Time: 11:00 am - Burch Creek 1st Ward Address: 5161 S. 1300 E., , South Ogden, UT, , | Map Burch Creek 1st Ward 5161 S. 1300 E. South Ogden, UT There will be a viewing from 9:45 am to 10:45 am Cemetery Information Date: Thursday, December 17, 2015 Memorial Gardens of the Wasatch Address: 1718 Combe Road , , Ogden, UT, | Map Memorial Gardens of the Wasatch 1781 Combe Rd. Ogden, UT