Guvner Harlow Baker passed away peacefully November 5th, 2023 at his home in Garibaldi, Oregon surrounded by his loving family. He was 87 years old.
Guv was born January 17th, 1936 in the small rural town of Lynch, Nebraska at home, in the middle of a snowstorm. His family moved to Oregon and settled in Willamina where he attended a one room schoolhouse through 8th grade and later graduated from Willamina High School where he excelled as an athlete competing in football, basketball and track winning many accolades. After graduating high school, Guv joined the Coast Guard and was stationed in Astoria, Oregon from 1954-1958. While on a short leave he married the love of his life, LaQuieta May Casey on December 28th,1956 in Stephenson, WA. They were married nearly 67 years and raised three children; Kelley Irene (1958), William Harlow (1961) and Mollie Kay (1964).
After his honorable discharge from the Coast Guard, Guv attended Linfield University for a year then worked various jobs including Milkman and Insurance Agent before finding his niche as a business owner. He first owned and operated the Tillamook Dairy Queen, then bought another DQ in Hillsboro and finally in 1972 built the Garibaldi DQ which he owned and operated until retiring in June, 2010. Guv loved the Dairy Queen business and served on the NW Dairy Queen Board of Directors for many years.
Guv was an avid sports fan and enjoyed watching all sports in his later years. He was a staunch Beavers fan but would secretly root for the Ducks when not playing Oregon State. He also loved to fish and hunted as a young man.
Guv will be remembered for his love of faith and family. He was a member of North Coast Christian Church (formerly Christ’s Victory Fellowship and Garibaldi Church of Christ) from the 1970’s through his death.
He is survived by his wife LaQuieta; sister Harlene Johnston; three children Kelley VanAcker (John), William Baker and Mollie Reding (Michael); four grandchildren who he adored, Tyler VanAcker (Maria), Kelsey Baker (Cody Allison), Lindsay Henry (Todd) and Emily Rothweiler (Ryan) followed by two great-grandsons Ezekiel Henry and Harlow VanAcker.
A memorial service is scheduled to take place at 11am on Saturday, November 25th at the North Coast Christian Church in Garibaldi with a luncheon to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in his memory be sent to Adventist Health Hospice, PO Box 188, Tillamook OR.