Mack Baker

Donald "Mack" Baker, 55, a life long resident of Las Cruces, died on Monday, March 31, 2008. "Mack," as he was affectionately known by his family and many friends was born on September 30, 1952 in Wilcox Arizona to Henderson and Janis Rodgers Baker. Raised in Las Cruces, the Mesilla Valley was his stomping grounds with a group of friends, brothers and cousins who were always up to something. One of Mack's first jobs immersed him in the automobile industry with his parents where the foundations of his expertise evolved. Starting as a mechanic and coming up front to help he jumped in and involved himself wherever there was a need. Through this he filled the well of his knowledge from which he was happy to share with anyone who ever asked, "Mack, do you have a minute?" As his experiences in Las Cruces added up he ventured out to El Paso to make a living for his family. There he made many valuable connections and found some true friends. Mack drew from vast experiences to help others, something he loved to do. His support for people was not only available to those he had done business with, but for the community at large. He truly saw the value of sport and the gifts that it brought to the individual, families and the community. Along with dozens of others, Mack spent countless hours helping to develop the Field of Dreams where one could find him on most fall weekends. But, if it was a Tuesday or Wednesday night he was out on the lanes. There he had two perfect games, and evenings full of joy, laughter and life. Mack was an ardent supporter of athleticism and organizations for youth. He was involved in the Senior Olympics as an advocate and a participant, believing in the fun of life and competition. Mack was preceded in death by his father, Henderson Baker and his mother-in-law Lois Stages. He is survived by his wife, Midge Stages Baker; daughter Tiffany Baker and her son Dustin Wagenblast Baker, daughter Deana Baker and her husband Ryan Christopher, and son Joel Baker and his wife Meara, and their daughters Ava and Jocelyn. His mother Janis Baker Boykin and her husband Ben Boykin, brother Rodger Baker and wife Sue Stall Baker, their daughters Alison James and her husband Jeremy, and Stephanie and Megan Baker; brother Tom Baker and wife Terie Lynn Burgett, their daughters Ann Marie Ricks and husband Thomas, and Sara and husband, Cory Robbins; his aunt Lynda Taylor and her husband Javin and her son Brent; his sisters-in-law Phoebe Stages; Susan Stages McKinney and her husband Roy and their daughters Sarah McKinney and her husband Christopher Holden and Lesley McKinney; brother-in-law Andrew Stages and his wife Alejandra, children Nandy Stages-Hale and her husband Matthew, and his son John Stages; sister-in-law Mary Stages Huband and her daughter Patricia Huband and son Harry Huband. Mack is also survived by his father-in-law, Harry H. Stages, many aunts, uncles, cousins, great nephews and nieces and many, many friends. Mack was the kind of person who can't be described in any terms but, the outpouring of love and caring from his countless friends, coworkers, business associates, bowling friends, booster friends and anyone who has ever met him speak volumes about who he was. Memorial Service's to celebrate Mack's life will be at 2:00 PM Friday, April 4, 2008 at St. Paul's United Methodist Church with Rev. Gorton Smith officiating. Mack lived his life as an example of giving of himself to others without hesitation, whether it be a smile, customer service, or rooting for the home team; in this spirit, in his memory and in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Mack Baker Memorial Scholarship fund at White Sands Federal Credit Union. PDF Printable Version