Gaylen Burdette Baker

Gaylen Burdette Baker made his last inappropriate comment on November 29, 2024. He passed away peacefully in his beloved home. Gaylen was 77 years old and was born in Logan, Utah, on February 6, 1947, to Carma and Asa Baker. He lived most of his life in Mendon, Utah, and will be missed by many in town.

He graduated from Sky View High School in 1964 and shortly after was drafted into the US Army on July 7th, 1965. He completed boot camp at Fort Bliss, Texas, and was assigned to the 4th US Army. He served in Vietnam, where he received the Vietnam Service Medal, Sharpshooter Rifle, Sharpshooter Pistol, and 2nd Class Gunner awards. He also completed education and training in the leadership prep CRS and FAOper and Intel Asst. He was stationed with the 25th Infantry Division in Cu Chi and the 199th Light Infantry in Long Bhin. He was honorably discharged on June 21 st, 1968, at Fort Hood, Texas.

After being discharged, he worked at Moores Business Forms and then moved to Alaska to work at a printing shop. He came home to Mendon, Utah, to care for his mother before her passing. He lived with his father until he met the love of his life, Judith Baker, who was renting a house next door. They married on February 11th, 1980. Nucor Steel opened shortly thereafter, and Gaylen got on as a steel worker, where he made many lifelong friends. On January 26, 1987, Judy and Gaylen had a much-anticipated baby girl named Rachel. The trio enjoyed traveling throughout the West in the old Green 67 Ford with a camper on the back, making many memories.

Gaylen loved being outside working. He always had a project or was fixing something for someone. He spent hours out in his shop welding, grinding, and building. He also loved to hunt in his younger years and was an avid collector of guns. He was a jack of all trades—he could fix your car, tractor, trampoline spring, etc. He also helped to build two of his daughters' houses.

Gaylen’s pride and joy were his grandchildren. He had nine beautiful grandchildren and one great-grandchild who were honored to call him Papa. Some of the grandkid’s favorite memories were when Papa would take them to Angie’s for hot chocolate and then the dollar store for a shopping spree, many camping trips, and playing cards on Sundays. He enjoyed going to dance recitals, school assemblies, soccer games, football games, and 4H animal shows. He was also known as a beloved uncle to many nieces and nephews who will never forget being called “turkey”, spending summers boating or at Lagoon, or just chatting on the back porch.

Gaylen always put on a tough show for everyone, but when you got to know him, he was the biggest softie and would do anything for anyone. Gaylen is survived by his wife of 44 years, Judy Baker; his daughter, Rachel (Clinton) Robinson; stepdaughter, Lisa (Kevin) Blatter; stepson Matthew (Jeanette) Gray; chosen daughter, Carrie Andersen; grandchildren Dillon Blatter, Sam Johnson, Madison Katsilas, Jesse Goodsell, Tyson Kropf, Morgan Gray, Raegen Robinson, Avery Robinson, and Clayton Robinson and great-granddaughter Sophie Johnson.

A celebration of life will be held at Mendon Stake Center, 460 S 100 E, Mendon, Utah, on December 12, 2024, from 6 to 8:00 PM. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Red Rose Funeral Home, Preston, ID. 

Gaylen was always a softie for animals and had taken in many a stray. If you would like to make a memorial donation to Cache Humane Society in his name.

To share a favorite memory of Gaylen or offer condolences to the family please visit www.redrosefuneral.com