Davis Saunders Baker

Davis Saunders Baker (age 100) passed away on May 13, 2017 in the presence of his loving daughters, Bette and Susan. He was born in Hartford, West Virginia on December 2, 1916 to Mary Welby (Saunders) and O.L. Baker. Davis was the youngest of the five Baker children. The family moved around a lot due to O.L.’s job with the railroad, and eventually, the job landed the family in Ohio where the Bakers lived in Grafton and finally in Euclid. Davis is a 1937 graduate of Shore High School in Euclid where he was the running back on the football team and was a sprinter on the track team. He was class president for three of the four years in high school. Davis met his future wife Betty Knuth at the First Baptist Church in Euclid (across from the past location of Euclid Central School and the present Euclid fire station). Betty was the church pianist. They lived on North Street, and then in the early 1950s, bought a house on Sagamore Drive in Euclid where they lived for almost 30 years. Before World War II, Davis worked at Parker-Hannifin in Euclid. Although he was still in his early 20s, he was recognized for his leadership qualities and was made foreman of the inspections department. Davis was drafted into the Army, and served in Germany until the end of the War, participating in the Battle of the Bulge. Following his military service, Davis returned home and together with his brother, Walter, and their father, established a successful wood and metal fabricating business. The business started in their garage on North Street in Euclid but quickly expanded to a larger shop on Lakeland Boulevard in Wickliffe. Their enterprise expanded as they bought and developed adjoining property to the eventually include nine buildings. Several of the buildings were rented to small businesses/light factory enterprises. During this time Davis also became a 32nd degree Mason. In the late 1970s, Davis and Betty joined in a project with Davis’s brother and sisters and their families to buy and develop a property in Florida, which would be their retirement home. The property was on Casey Key, a barrier island on the Gulf of Mexico coast of Florida. The brothers and sisters built houses on their new property, and Davis and Betty lived there for about 30 years. Sadly, in 2003, Davis lost Betty when she passed away at the age of 90. He continued living at the Casey Key compound for a number of years, visiting his daughters Bette in Wisconsin and Sue in Kirtland during the winter months. Eventually, he began spending increasingly more time with Susan and her family in Kirtland. By 2008, he was living there on a full-time basis, and he sold the Florida house soon thereafter. Davis enjoyed his grandchildren and spent his time reading, watching TV, and taking part in all family activities. In recent years, Davis has been attending Willoughby Hills Methodist Church. He was also a familiar face at the coffee shop at the Great Lakes Mall. Davis is survived by his daughters Bette (Dan) McIntosh of Neenah, Wisconsin; and Susan (Dr. Hans) Pesch of Kirtland; grandchildren Stephen (Mary) McIntosh, Tanya (Joe) Farinacci, Magdalene Pesch, Alexander Pesch, and Aaron (Tabitha) Pesch. Great-Grandchildren include Matthew and Lizzy McIntosh, Tess and Emma Farinacci, Benjamin and Rebekah Pesch and sister-in-law: Gwen Baker Bone. Davis lost his loving wife, Betty (Knuth) after 62 years of marriage. Davis is also preceded in death by his parents Mary Welby (Saunders) and O.L. Baker; brothers, Leonard Baker, Walter (Harriet) Baker; sisters, Annette (Richard Flanigan, Stan Stedman), and Janet (Herbert) Heisterkamp. Private graveside services for the family will be led by Pastor Dana Flemming of Willoughby Hills United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: Willoughby Hills United Methodist Church, 34201 Eddy Rd, Willoughby Hills, OH 44094 or Project Hope for the Homeless, 25 Freedom Rd, Painesville, OH 44077. Arrangements entrusted to Brunner Sanden Deitrick Funeral Home and Cremation Center 8466 Mentor Ave., Mentor, OH 44060. Offer condolences at www.brunners.com

Davis Saunders Baker

December 2, 1916 - May 13, 2017