David Joseph Baker age 96, Dave Baker was born to F. Michael Baker and Mary R. (Clouse) Baker in Foxholm, North Dakota on October 19, 1918. He died peacefully at home at home on Saturday December 6, 2014 in Centralia Washington. Dave and his family left North Dakota when he was 3 years old, traveling through Canada in a covered wagon with his parents and sisters. He grew up in Mukilteo, Port Angeles and Olympia Washington. Dave graduated from Olympia High School in 1937. He worked at the Dupont powder plant prior to serving in the Coast Guard during WWII. He was posted in Hawaii for his war years (March 1942 through May 1946). Dave and fellow Coast Guardsmen were awarded a commendation from President Roosevelt for intercepting a communique that warned of the Battle of Midway. After WWII, Dave attended St. Martin's College on the G.I. Bill, graduating in 1950 with a degree in Accounting. During college, he met his future wife, Irene Koch while employed part time at Washington State Employment Security Department. They married April 3, 1948 in Elma Washington and were together for 66 years. After graduating from St. Martin's College, he went to work for the Olympia Shingle Mill as the Office Manager. He worked there for 10 years before taking a job with Puget Sound Log Scaling and Grading Bureau, now Pacific Rim Log Scaling Bureau. He retired as a regional supervisor in 1983. Dave and Irene bought a five acre farm, raising animals, vegetables, and their family over the years in the South Bay area of Olympia. In retirement, Dave and Irene moved to Centralia Washington. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic church. Dave enjoyed gardening, fishing, clamming, travel and reminiscing about his childhood and adult life. Dave was predeceased by his parents and sisters, Alvah MacDonald and Freda Noben. Surviving Dave are his children, Mike (Patty), Joan Iyall (Mike), Stephen Mitchell, Barb Lantz (Leif), and Kathy Patton. He has 12 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. Memorial Mass is scheduled for Friday, December 19th at 11:00 a.m. St. Mary's Catholic Church in Centralia Washington. In liue of flowers donations should be made to the charity of your choice. Please share your memories of David by signing his online guest book.