Tom Baker (Plainview)

Tom Baker, 87, of Plainview, passed away on Sunday, November 16, 2008, in Amarillo. Funeral services will be at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, November 19, 2008, in Family Life Chapel of the First Baptist Church with Dr. Travis Hart officiating. Burial will follow in Parklawn Memorial Gardens under the direction of Kornerstone Funeral Directors of Plainview. A visitation will be from 6-8 P.M., Tuesday, November 18, 2008, at the funeral home. Tom was born on April 24, 1921 in Paris, Texas to Nathaniel Thomas Baker II and wife Katie Aldredge Davis. He attended grade school and high school in Paris, TX. He graduated from Paris Jr. College in 1940. He entered the University of Texas in Austin in 1940 majoring in Business Administration. He then entered the U.S. Army in July 1942. He served in the European Theater with the 65th Infantry of Patton’s Third Army and saw combat in Germany. After his service to his country, Tom returned to the University of Texas receiving his BBA degree in Life Insurance in Jan. 1947. He was in the Insurance Industry for 61 years with Fidelity Union Life Insurance Company (Allianz). He was a member of the Optimist Club since April, 1947, Past President of the Plainview Chamber of Commerce, served three times as president of the Plainview Life Underwriters Assn. (became Chartered Life Underwriter in 1960), was once district chairman of the Haynes Boy Scout District and served on the South Plains Council board. He worked on numerous fund drives including the United Way. Served on the Community Concert Board, a life member of Million Dollar Round Table, Moderated Life Underwriters training courses for other local agents and is a member of the Lubbock Area Chapter of Chartered Life Underwriters. He was also a member of the First Baptist Church. Survivors include his wife, Sylvia Howton Baker of Plainview; one son and daughter-in-law, Tom and Sylvia Baker of Spring, Texas; one grandson, Nathan Baker of Spring, Texas; one granddaughter, Olivia Baker of Spring, Texas; one sister, Katherine Phillips of Hart, Texas; step-daughter and her husband, Linda & Fletcher Self of Madison, Mississippi. The family suggests memorials to be made to a favorite charity.