John Baker, 85, died June 2 at Great Bend Health and Rehabilitation Center. Born Sept. 11, 1927 at Wichita, he was the son of Oscar and Lottie (Frasier) Baker.
He was a graduate of El Dorado High School and earned an Associate’s Degree from Butler Community College and  a Bachelor and Master’s Degree from Fort Hays State University. He married Marlene Asbury Aug. 11, 1955 at Tulsa, Okla.  They later divorced and he married Dolores P. White Runquist May 24, 1997 at Great Bend. He was a high school and college athletic coach, starting his career in St. John where he coached various sports.  He later coached at Shawnee Mission West, Baker University, and Pershing College, where he served as the athletic director, coached basketball, and initiated the soccer program. He later was associated with the Development Office of the Martin Luther Home, Beatrice, Neb., and then was appointed as the Director of the Madonna Foundation, Lincoln, Neb.  He retired as the Alumni Endowment Director at Oklahoma City University in 1980. He was a United States Navy veteran, serving during World War II. He was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, Elks Lodge #1127, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #3111, and American Legion Argonne Post 180, and former member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles all of Great Bend.
Survivors include his wife, Dolores P. Baker, of the home; two sons: Tony Baker and his wife Kathleen of Lawrence; and Mike Baker and his wife Chris of Overland Park; nine grandchildren: , Corey Baker, Trevor Baker, Anthony Baker, Luke Baker, Jordan Baker, Nicholas Baker, Anna Runquist, Ryan Runquist, and Parker Runquist; two great-grandchildren: Isabelle Baker and Benjamin Baker and three step-sons: Randy Runquist of Lubbock, Texas; Eric Runquist and wife Steffen of Minneapolis, Minn.; and Shane Runquist of Boston, Mass.
Funeral service will be Saturday, June 8 at 11:00 a.m. at Bryant Funeral Home with military rites by United States Navy Honor Guard. Pastor Lynn Schlosser will officiate.
Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Friday, June 7 at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to American Legion Youth Baseball or Kans for Kids, in care of Bryant Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net
    
Funeral arrangements by    
Bryant Funeral Home*
1425 Patton Road    
Great Bend, Kansas  67530
Great Bend (Kan) Tribune, June 4, 2013