As reported in the Oolagah Lake Leader…
The service for George Baker Jr., 82, of Talala is 10 am Saturday, May 14 at First Christian Church in Owasso. Arrangements are being handled by Mowery Funeral Service of Owasso.
Baker and his sister Shirley Hand moved to Talala in 1943, attended Talala School and Oklahoma A&M College. He married Vera Hayes of Winganon in 1953, transferred to Miami College, earned an Air Force scholarship and returned to Stillwater.
He was commissioned as an Air Force officer, earned his jet pilot wings, served in Europe, was promoted to Captain and served in the Vietnam War flying combat missions in supersonic F-100 jet aircraft.
He separated from the Air Force in 1965, moved the family which by then included three children to the Baker Ranch in Talala, enrolled the boys in Oologah-Talala Schools and taught at Owasso
He joined the Air National Guard as a test pilot and was promoted to the rank of major, purchased his own plane, and continued to fly, raise beef cattle and his boys.
In writing the family history for the 1990 History of Talala book, Vera ended the biography by noting, “George retired and enjoys the pursuit of piscatorial prospects (fishing anytime, anywhere).”
That continued through Tuesday morning.