Larry Leon Baker

Larry Leon Baker of Walker went home to be with his Lord, Sunday January 13, 2019. Larry was born September 9, 1934 in Grand Rapids the son of Leon & Genevieve Baker. He was proceeded in death by both parents, step mother Leona, brother Bernard (Elma) Baker, and sister Ritha (Chuck) Stegmeyer brother in law Marvin Robinson. Larry graduated from Creston high school and Grand Rapids Junior College where he lettered in baseball as a pitcher for 3 years at Creston and 2 years at GRJC. He finished his career pitching for the GR Sullivan's. He found his soulmate and married Shirley Jean Robinson of Orleans in 1957 and spent the last 61 years in love raising 4 children. Larry worked hard to provide for his family as a die-maker for Jarecki's, and then General Motors until his retirement in 1996. After that he and his bride traveled making new friends and spent 23 winters in Casa Grande, Arizona. He and Shirley spent summers in Grand Rapids and volunteered for 8 years with the GR Police Volunteer Department. Larry was a lifelong Detroit Tiger, Lions, & Redwing fan & in recent years the West Michigan Whitecaps. He was known for his vast knowledge of sports trivia. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing and passed these passions to his two sons. Larry and Shirley were members of Saint James Catholic Church for 57 years and currently members of St Anthony of Padua Catholic Church. Larry is survived by his wife Shirley, daughter Jody (Murray) MacGready, son Larry L. Baker II, son John (Denise) Baker, and daughter Michele Baker. grandchildren Laura ( David) Baird, Matthew (Amy) Lipski, Matthew Barrett, Theresa (Jason) Lewis, Beth (Nate) VanMannen, Dustin Baker, Roger (Vickie) Austin, Steven ( Trish ) Austin, Stephanie (Joel) Kozlowicz, Sarah (Mike) Uribe. Larry was proceeded in death and was looking forward to seeing his grandchildren Larry Leon Baker III, Holly Kathleen Baker, and Jason Randall Austin once again. Larry also had 26 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren who knew and loved him along with several nieces and nephews. Larry is also survived by Shirley’s siblings Ron Robinson, Lee (Leo) Marshall and Vera (George) Hendricks and their families. Visitation is scheduled for Wednesday January 16, 2019. From 4 to 7 PM with a Rosary following at Arsulowicz Brothers Mortuary, 3525 Remembrance Road, Grand Rapids. Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 AM Thursday January 17, 2019 at St Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 2510 Richmond St., Grand Rapids MI 49504, with a visitation one hour prior to the ceremony. In lieu of flowers donations are requested to be made out to St Anthony of Padua Catholic Church general fund or Emmanuel Hospice. Arrangements are by the Marshall Funeral Home, Greenville, with complete obituary online at www.marshallfuneralhomeinc.com where you can leave a message of condolence for the family.