Marion Vinton Baker

Funeral Service for Marion Vinton Baker will be at the First Baptist Church in Fairview, Oklahoma. at 1:30 pm, on Saturday, August 8, 2026. The Reverend Derek Cox will officiate. Arrangements are by Fairview Funeral Home, Inc.

Marion Vinton Baker of Edmond Oklahoma formerly of Fairview, was born to Ida Minell (Merry) Baker and Opal Edward Baker on September 7th, 1936 in Medicine Park, Oklahoma. Vinton was the 4th of five children. He was preceded in his voyage by his son Jay Daniel Baker. His mother Ida Baker, his oldest brother Kenneth Baker, followed by brothers Ed Baker and Tom Baker. He has one living sister, Katherine Bone still living in Lawton, Oklahoma. Our dad met and married Permelia Weaver may 24th, 1958 in Snyder, Oklahoma. They have three children, Delia, Jay, and Rita. Five grandchildren Ryan, Clay, Taylor, Joshua, and Chelsea, and ten great grandchildren, Aidan, Emory, Irah, Milo, Ender, Leah, Noah, Micah, Waylon Vinton and Arlo. Vinton loved and knew the love of Jesus; he taught his children and grandchildren to know that God’s love was and is for all. He grew up in Indiahoma, Oklahoma and had a wonderful lively fun childhood the kind of adventures that should be written in a book. Dad loved people! He could talk to anyone and he truly cared for others. Vinton passed on August 4th at 7:30 pm peacefully at the age of 89.

The following was written by Vinton Baker

Vinton graduated, from High School at Indianola on May 7,1954. After an immature trip to northern California to work in the saw mills. I returned home by way of freight train which took six days. That was late August of 1954. On September 7th of that year, I turned 18 years old, went to the Army Draft Board in Lawton, and registered and requested that my name be put to the top of the list to be called. I was inducted in the U.S. Army on November 6th, 1954. Basic training included sixteen weeks at Ft. Bliss in El Paso, Texas. Afterward, was sent to FT Lawton, Washington, briefly, then to the 60th Station Hospital near Rochelle. France. I received my Honorable Discharge on October 4th, 1956. Enrolled in school at Cameron College, Lawton, OK. After 3 semesters, decided 1 was not college qualified. I married Permelia Carolyn Norton- Weaver on May 24, 1958. We were married in her parents’ home in Snyder, OK on a Saturday afternoon before some family and a few family friends. Rev. J.V. Lobaugh, the Pastor of First Baptist Church in Snyder married us. My sister, Katherine came and brought my Mother, Ida. Three brothers, Kenneth, Edward, and Tom wanted no part of it fearing for their outstanding reputations! Permelia, although young, was mature beyond her age and has been by far the best thing for me. We are nearing our 50th anniversary.

We spent nine years in Stillwater where I was employed by Ward Chevrolet Co. I knew very, very little about automobiles, but answered an ad in the Daily

Oklahoman for a parts clerk. I was employed at the time, "1958-1959" by silos around Altus Air Force Base. The project created hundreds of jobs for people within approximately 100 miles or so of Altus. We had two of our children while living in Indiahoma & Snyder. Delia Karen was born in Hobart, Jay Daniel in Frederick.

When I interviewed for the parts clerk job in Stillwater, I told Mr. Ward that I didn't know much at all, but with a wife and two children, if given a chance, I would work hard and learn and be a good employee. He offered me the job for $350.00 a month. I told him I probably wasn't worth that but could not make it for less than $400. He agreed on both points. My brother, Ed, was working in the same capacity for Phillips-Aubrey Chevrolet in Lawton. I asked and received the best advice I think I could get or ever give. That advice was don't be late, and stay busy- even if there appears to be no present customer, either ask for something to do or start cleaning, dusting shelves, counter, etc. I made it to work at least thirty minutes before anyone else. As the boss noticed, he gave me a key, so I began to get there early, clean the pot and make coffee and sweep the floor, etc. Brother Ed told me that time goes by better and good workers usually make it.

We stayed in Stillwater until after Wark sold out to Charlie Vincent. I was contacted by Howard Way "Howard Way Chevrolet-Olds" about a parts manager opening. Permelia and I really liked living in Stillwater, a beautiful college town where our youngest child, Rita Gay was born. Wages in a college town in the 1960's were not too good and Mr. Vincent did not want to increase my salary, so we made the move from Stillwater to Fairview, a town with population of approximately 2,500 to 3,000.

While in Stillwater, Permelia worked hard at keeping her home and family, making the best of our budget and then even worked at Katz Dept. Store as a sales clerk in the women’s clothing dept.

She was good at it and loved her job. In Fairview, I would work 10-hour days, six days week.