TRIBUTES have been paid to a beloved father and grandfather, who “never stopped embracing all that life had to offer”.
Donald Baker, right, of Letcombe Bassett, worked at Wheeler’s Farm in the village for 50 years.
He passed away at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, while being treated after a fall, on Wednesday, December 12, aged 83.
His daughter-in-law Liz Bull said: “Nothing ever stopped Don from embracing all that life had to offer, not even when his tractor tipped over and he had to be dug out, or when he was only given a 50/50 chance of surviving a brain tumour operation.”
Mr Baker was born on September 15, 1929, in Letcombe Regis, the eldest of six children. He lost his father at a young age, and his mother remarried a soldier who was stationed locally.
After leaving school at 14 he worked at Antwicks Manor, before moving to work for the Wheelers.
When he was about 16 his family moved to Birmingham, but he chose to stay in Letcombe, and lived with his grandmother until he married his wife Joyce Beckinsale in 1957. Their daughter Dawn was born in 1957, and son Steve in 1969.
He was also a grandfather to Sarah, David, Sophie, Matthew and Lucy. Mrs Baker died nine years ago.
Mr Baker’s funeral will be held on Wednesday, January 2, at noon at St Andrew’s Church in Letcombe Regis.
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