Forrest Sandusky Baker Jr. 90, passed on to his next great adventure Wednesday, June 24, 2020 in Salt Lake City Utah. Forrest was born in La Crosse, Wisconsin on June 30, 1929; the first of three sons to Marjorie Carol Moore and Forrest Sandusky Baker Sr. He married the love of his life, his beautiful brown-eyed Carol Fry, on August 29, 1949 in the Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Together they raised seven accomplished and high-achieving children; Robin (Robert) Slover, Melanie (Carl) Bowers, Tamara (Russ) Hemmert, Sandy (Sharon, dec.), Jonathan, Matthew (Patricia) and Tristan (Ted) Schultz.
Dad was an amazing man not soon forgotten by anyone he met. He was a child during the depression era, which greatly influenced his life. Starting to work at the age of five and continuing until a few years before his passing. He loved his family, service to his fellow man, hunting in eastern Oregon with his best friends, playing tennis, flying as an instrument rated pilot, and in later years sitting in contemplation by the Snake River.
He founded and was co-owner of Transportation Research and Marketing. His work as a transportation economist took him all over the world and he was recognized for this work as Man of the Year by NATSO in 1998. He was a voracious reader and scholar, inventor, loyal friend, admired teacher, mentor, historian and lover of knowledge, as well as a master problem solver and storyteller. He was larger than life, his generosity knew no bounds, he encouraged people to pay it forward and in turn left a pattern of service and love for those he left behind.
Forrest is survived by his seven children, 33 grandchildren, and 82 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Carol, two brothers, a daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren.
Due to the current pandemic, the family will be holding private services. A memorial service will be held at a later date when the risks from Covid-19 have passed. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to your local food bank in the name of Forrest S. Baker Jr.
Condolences may be shared with the family at www.larkincares.com.
Sorry to hear he passed. What fond memories I have from meeting him. He always made me laugh. What a wonderful down to earth guy. He was the nicest man you could ever meet.. What a nice long interesting life he lived.. Love to the family. Bev
Dear Baker family,
It is with great sadness that I learned of Forrest's passing this week. In the past few years I would call him from time to time to check up on him. I know that he missed your mother so much when she passed away I could hear his tears when I spoke to him, to be without his eternal companion.
It has been a great pleasure for our family to be associated and counted as a friend to your family. We all have great memories of your father and stories that he told as well as the hunting trips that my father and Forrest shared together.
Please accept our sincere condolences and we wish you the peace that our Lord and Savior can bring at this difficult time.
With love,
The Lambert-Hnath Family (Carey, Roseann and Alex).
May you have the peace and consolation of the comforter at this time of parting, with faith in the knowledge of the resurrection when you will be reunited with your loved ones.
Forrrest, we didn't know your father well, but on the rare occasion when our paths crossed we enjoyed his sense of humor. We hope you and all your family are well.
