Lawrence A. Baker

Lawrence A. "Larry" Baker, age 56, of Marshall, died at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo on Monday, Sept. 25, 2006. Larry was born March 1, 1950 in Marshall to Donald E. and Mary Elizabeth (DeForest) Baker. He attended Marshall schools and graduated from Marshall High School, a member of the class of 1968. At Marshall High School, he was a member of the National Honor Society, being recognized for his outstanding grade point achievement. He played football and was a member of Future Farmers Of America for all four years of high school. Larry was a Junior Rotarian and served as their president. He then attended and graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor''s in Veterinary Medicine. He worked in management for K-Mart Corporation for 24 years. He opened stores for the company and established them in their communities in Michigan and Ohio. Larry left K-Mart and did work in some local factories so that he could be home every day when his son came home from school. Currently, he drove semi-truck for NTB. Larry lived in the Marshall area until moving to Ohio in the mid-1970''s. He moved back to Marshall and to Convis Township in 1996. He was a 4-H member as a young man, and showed cattle. Later in life, he enjoyed raising and showing poultry, which he did until 5 years ago. Earlier in life, he liked to ride his Triumph motorcycle. Surviving Larry are his children, his son Richard A. Baker of Battle Creek and his daughter, Nichole L. Baker of Belmont, California; 2 sisters, Anne M. Baker of Marshall and Donna (James) Jeffery of Quincy; and his brother, John D. Baker of Marshall; and a niece, Courtney Hounshell. Funeral services will be held for the family only. Arrangements are by the Craig K. Kempf Funeral Home. The family suggests that those who wish direct memorials to American Diabetes Association. Assistance with memorials is available at Kempf Funeral Home.