Thomas Louis Baker

Long Beach, CA- Thomas Louis Baker, 89, passed away Thursday, March 4, 2010 in Long Beach, CA. There will be a visitation at the gravesite on Saturday, March 13, 2010 from 12:00 noon to 1:00PM followed by the graveside service at 1:00PM at the Baker Family Cemetery in Twiggs County. The Reverend Bob Hamilton will conduct the service. Mr. Baker, the son of the late Thomas J. Baker and Jennie Burch Baker, was born in Twiggs County, Georgia on April 17, 1920. After high school, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps where he proudly served our country with honor and dignity. After he was discharged from the Marine Corps, he moved to Paramount, California where he purchased a home and began Baker Automotive. Thomas maintained an active voice in the business the rest of his life. Tommy touched every life he came in contact with, from the many children in the neighborhood he was a father figure to, as well as the people he could be seen handing out vegetables to from his beautiful garden for over 50 years. Everyone loved Tommy Baker's famous fruits and vegetables. Tommy was also a racing enthusiast who enjoyed building race cars throughout his entire life. He is best remembered for having the world's fastest Cadillac powered Studebaker race car. He lived and loved drag racing his whole life and knew many of the old time racers personally. He is survived by his children, Christy (Michael) Stromme, Blane (Caryn Miller) Baker and Trevor (Monica) Baker; his grandchildren, Eric (Carrie), Melissa (Justin), Angela, Kaylee, Shawn (Nicole) and Scott; his great-grandchildren, Bradley, Kaleb, Joseph, Tyler, Sabrina, Gavin, Caylee and Cash; his brothers, Fred (Edna) and Mac (Mary) Baker; and his sister, Hazel Gayton. Waiting to welcome him to heaven were his wife, Kaye Baker, his parents, Thomas and Jennie, his brothers, Charles, Robert, Sheller and Harold, and his sisters, Alice and Marie. Register online at www.hartsmort.com. Hart's Mortuary and Crematory, Cherry Street, has charge of arrangements.