Kenneth Dean Baker

Kenneth Baker was born on February 26, 1919 in Northwestern Missouri to Earl and Annette Baker. He attended school in Kirks-ville, Missouri and after graduation he attended college at Truman State University (previously known as Northeast Missouri State Teachers College) for 2 years. He joined the army prior to World War II.

He served as a non-com and an officer, and was an infantry platoon leader in the Normandy invasion. He landed on Omaha beach and fought through the hedgerows until he was wounded in Vire, France during the allied break-through. He received a Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and the French Jubilee of Liberty medal.

After the war he married an Army Nurse, Ruth Hawthorne (now deceased) and had three children Janet Hardie, Jay Baker (now de-ceased), Jean Baker-Temple.

He returned to college after the war and upon graduation began his teaching career in Burlington, Iowa. In 1952 he received his M.A. degree. In 1959 he became the first principal at Euclid Junior High school in Littleton Public Schools. In 1963 he was promoted to the district’s central staff where he served for a number of years until his retirement in 1979.

He was very active in community affairs and served on various boards and committees. He was a key member of the commit-tees that planned for the establishment of Arapahoe Community College and Bemis Public library. He was Kiwanian of the year twice, and twice was runner-up for Littleton Citizen of The Year. He and his wife were ardent golfers and world travelers.

After his first wife died in 1999, he married Pauline Hause and they were married until her death in 2013. He is survived by his two daughters, his stepdaughter Cheryl Eckl, and his two grandchildren Garrett Temple and Robin Hardie Bollenberghe.

A memorial is scheduled for 2:00pm on Monday the 27th at the Littleton United Methodist Church at 5894 S. Datura St. with reception to follow.

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