Thomas Duane "Tom" Baker Obituary (1946

Mr. Thomas Duane "Tom" Baker, age 70 of Madison, Indiana entered this life on May 10, 1946 in Indianapolis, Indiana the son of the late Rodney and Mollie McIntosh Baker. He was raised in the Dupont/Commiskey area and attended the old Dupont High School in Dupont, Indiana where he played basketball and graduated from in 1964. He was inducted into the United States Army on December 29, 1966 during the Vietnam conflict, rising to the rank of sergeant and was honorably discharged on December 11, 1967 earning the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign and Service Medals, and the Army Commendation Medal. He was united in marriage to the love of his life, Jadwiga "Jo" Smolarczyk on May 3, 1968 at the old Saint Mary's Catholic Church (now Prince of Peace, where he and Jo are members) in Downtown Madison, Indiana. To this happy union of forty eight years came two sons and a daughter to bless their home. Tom worked in manufacturing for many years, beginning at Arvin before his service in Vietnam, and later retiring from Cummins after thirty two years of service. From fishing and boating on Hardy Lake, to cutting wood with his sons, brothers and nephews, or caring for his yard, he always enjoyed being in the great outdoors. Tom loved spending time with his beloved family and is fondly remembered for the card games he played with his brothers and sisters; for relaxing by listening to classic country music while patting his best buddy, Jade (his rescued Great Dane) on the head and enjoying a Coors Light; and by providing a happy home for Jo, his children and grandchildren. Tom died on Thursday, February 2, 2017, at 5:33 PM at the Baptist Health Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky.Click Here for Tribute or Funeral Service Video A LOVING FAMILY Tom will be missed by his loving wife, Jadwiga "Jo" Smolarczyk Baker of Madison, Indiana. his loving sons, John Stanley Baker and his wife, Catherine of Fishers, Indiana, and Thomas Brent Baker and his wife, Katherine of Indianapolis, Indiana; his loving daughter, Christina Jo Baker Lesh and her husband, Brandon of Lakeland, Tennessee; his beloved grandchildren, Mollie, Thomas, Alexandra, Ella, and Lucy; his loving mother in law, Anelia Smolarczyk of Madison, Indiana; his loving brothers, Charles Baker and his wife, Betty of Rock Hill, South Carolina, Roland Baker and his wife, Mildred of Commiskey, Indiana, and Luther Baker and his wife, Joyce of Mooresville, Indiana; his loving sisters, Lida Webster of North Vernon, Indiana, and Pauline Horton of Palm Harbor, Florida; his sisters in law, JoAn Baker of Commiskey, Indiana, Beverly Baker of Indianapolis, Indiana, and Mary Lou Smolarczyk of Madison, Indiana; several nieces, nephews and other relatives. Tom was preceded in death by parents, Rodney R. and Mollie McIntosh Baker, brothers, Jesse Baker died November 5, 2004, Bill Baker died October 30, 2009, and Robert Baker, died in 1950, sister, Edna Lois Baker died October 20, 1924, brothers in law, Roy Webster , Jim Horton, and John Smolarczyk. MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL A Mass of Christian Burial will be said for Tom on Monday, February 6, 2017 at 10:00 a.m., by Father Christopher Craig at the Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 412 East 2nd Street, Madison, Indiana. Interment will follow in the Grandview Memorial Gardens with full military honors performed by the United States Army Ceremonial Unit and the Jefferson Post No. 9 of the American Legion. VISITATION Friends may call Sunday from 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. and Monday from 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. at the Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre, 325 Demaree Drive Madison, Indiana. PRAYING OF THE ROSARY The Rosary will be led by Father Christopher Craig on Sunday, February 5 at 7:30 p.m. at the Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre in Madison, Indiana. MEMORIAL EXPRESSIONS Memorial contributions may be made to Steeple For The People or to Forever Friends (a Great Dane Rescue organization). Cards are available at the funeral home.Secure">http://www.paysimple.com/security.html">Secure Payments To send a flower arrangement in memory of Thomas Duane "Tom" Baker, please click here to visit our sympathy store.