Stanley Baker

Stanley Harrison Baker, 92, of Oakland passed away Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2019, at the Oakland Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Born on the family dairy farm near Oakland, Nov. 23, 1926, Stanley was the first born to Charles H. and Iva (Harvey) Baker. He started farm chores with his Dad at age 8, eventually taking over the dairy and milking twice a day until his retirement at age 82. He is survived by his loving wife, Arva (Wotring) Baker; daughter Constance Jacoby and husband Fred, Oakland; daughter Michelle Harris and husband Steve, Chester, VA; grandsons Jaime Jacoby, Missoula, MT, Eric (Maria)Jacoby-Bravo, Oakland, and Alex Harris, Richmond, VA; four great-grandchildren: Collins and Lucas Jacoby-Bravo, Oakland, and Alex and Apollo Harris, Richmond, VA; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by daughter Nancy Baker and sister Freda (Baker) Moon (January 18, 2019). Stanley loved telling stories from his long life – often evoking nicknames such as Stump, Ikey, and Dish, -- and locations like Nay Harvey Hill and Bethlehem. Stanley loved to travel, driving his family to New England, the Wisconsin Dells, Florida, and the homes of past presidents. His honeymoon was a road trip to Niagara Falls. In later years, he and Arva went for daily drives in the community. Stanley, like George Washington, could never tell a lie – and was proud of it. He hired more than 300 hundred local boys and men as farm helpers over his many years of farming. In cards for his 70thwedding anniversary last year, many former workers told him how much they learned from him. His dairy won many awards for milk production and cleanliness. Stanley was an avid reader, crossword puzzle enthusiast, master joke teller, prize pancake and fruit salad maker, history and geography buff, and watcher of Westerns, beginning in the original Oakland movie theater for a nickel. He walked to the two-room Loch Lynn Elementary School and graduated from Oakland High School, where was a member of the championship basketball team. Friendships from childhood were dear to him and he was a loyal friend to many. As a boy, he often walked five miles across creeks and fences to his friend Sam Steyer’s house, so that he and Sam could, “take a walk.” Stanley and his family worshiped at the Bethel United Methodist Church in Mountain Lake Park. Friends will be received at the C & S Fredlock Funeral Home, P.A., 21 N 2ndSt., Oakland on Saturday, February 23, 2019, from 10 AM to 12 PM after which time a funeral service will be held. Interment will follow in the Aurora Cemetery, WV.