Royce Baker

Royce Baker, longtime Shidler and Ponca City area resident, passed away Saturday, September 6, 2008 at the Ponca City Medical Center. He was 84. Royce was born March 24, 1924 in Weir, Kansas, the son of John Stewart Baker and Hazel Williams Baker. He was married to Verla Moore on December 3, 1944 in Illinois. He was employed some 38 years as a pumper with Phillips Petroleum Company, working in the Shidler area. He was a member of the First Church of God and the Schooner Car Club, and his enjoyments included writing song lyrics, telling jokes, reading, and helping family and friends. He is survived by one daughter, Charlotte Godfrey of Ponca City and one son, Stewart Baker of Tulsa; nine grandchildren, Cynthia, Stewart II, Marion, Rita, Brenda, Rodney, Dustin, Bradley and Eric; nine great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He is also survived by a very special friend of several years, Velma Hugg. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Verla in 1989; two sons, Curtiss Baker and William Joaquin Baker; one sister, Hazel Joyce Brown; one grandson, Caleb; and one infant brother and one infant sister. Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, September 10, 2008 at the Grandview Cemetery in Kaw City with Pastor Alan Popken of the First Church of God, Ponca City, presiding. Arrangements are under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel. Honorary casket bearers will be Rick Waters, Ryan Waters, Denton Snow, Jim Davis, Mitchell Davis and Jerry Palmer.