Gordon Wayne Baker

Gordon Wayne Baker of rural Lorida, FL, passed away on February 12, 2025, at HCA Florida Highlands Hospital at the age of sixty-nine. He was born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire to Richard and Donna Baker on January 20, 1956, and graduated from Wenona High School in Wenona, Illinois.

Gordon loved working outdoors and spent much of his adult life providing excavating, landscaping, and construction services where his strength, determination, and work ethic served him and his clients well. He never met a stranger that he did not impact. He was a friendly, kind man who could talk your ear off for hours and come away as a new friend.

Gordon had been a member of the Loyal Order of Moose, Florida State Fraternal Order of Eagles, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary. Gordon had a love of Harley Davidson motorcycles, corvettes, cowboys, and country music. His favorite song and the one many will remember him by each time they hear it is "My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys" by Willie Nelson. He enjoyed vacationing in the Florida Keys and spending time with his many cherished friends listening to live bands at a local gathering place. His warm and kind spirit will be missed by all who knew him. 

He is survived by his beloved mother, Donna Baker; brothers Paul (Jane) Baker and Phillip (Dawn) Baker; sister Betsy (Chance) Blank; and sister-in-law Karen Baker. Gordon is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Richard Baker, and his brother, Roger Baker.

Cremation rites have been accorded. Graveside service will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 24, 2025, at Cumberland Cemetery, Wenona, IL, followed by a gathering for friends and family at the Wenona Park Pavilion.