Nolan Dale Baker

Nolan Dale Baker of Bountiful, Utah, passed peacefully to his heavenly home at the age of 90 on October 26, 2023 in Murray, Utah at Abbington Memory Care.

Nolan was born December 8, 1932 in Beaver, Utah, the son of Milo and Naomi Larsen Baker. Nolan attended school at Belknap Elementary and Beaver High School, graduating in 1951. He attended a quarter of college at Utah State Agricultural College where he met Valene Robins, the love of his life. They were married on July 18, 1952 in the Manti Utah Temple. Together they were blessed with three children: Robin, David, and Annette.

Nolan and Val went to Southern California on their honeymoon and ended up staying there. Nolan and Val lived in Edwards and Lancaster, California, for 25 years.  They moved to beautiful Vista, California where they enjoyed living near the beach for 25 years. They then spent 19½ years in Bountiful, Utah. Shortly before Val passed, they moved to Murray where Nolan has lived for the past two years.  They have many memories and friends from each place they lived.

When Nolan was just 5 years old, he was given his first cow to raise—this was his first step to becoming an entrepreneur.  By the time he was in high school, he had one of the best dairy herds in Beaver.  He also was one of the few high school students to own a car.  While living in Edwards and Lancaster, Nolan was an electrician, an insurance agent, an apartment complex owner, a self-serve car wash owner, a realtor, a subcontractor refinishing hardwood floors at Edwards Air Force Base, and then the general contractor refinishing hardwood floors and painting the homes.  After he moved to Vista, he retired permanently at the age of 47.

Some of Nolan’s greatest joys were his faith and his love of serving others. As a dedicated member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he served in three bishoprics.  He also taught early morning seminary for two years where his students lovingly called him “Uncle Nokie.” Nolan and Val served in a Young Adult ward in Vista and served a mission together in a Lao Branch in San Diego. Nolan and Val served in the Bountiful Utah Temple and also served a mission together in the Nauvoo Illinois Temple.

Nolan was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, son, brother, and uncle. He was a great friend and mentor to many throughout his life. Almost everyone has a story involving Nolan’s legendary humor and practical jokes. He was known for lovingly chasing his grandkids and great grandkids, playing games (with game treats!), and going to the beach and boogie boarding with his children and grandchildren. Nolan really loved to garden— he was a master gardener and pruner—and he had the best garden and orchard in Vista. He loved to graft multiple varieties of apples, for example, onto a single tree, and loved showing people his orchard.  When his grandchildren came to visit Grandpa and Grandma in Vista, they always had fresh squeezed orange juice and a trip to the orchard/garden to pick something delicious. 

Nolan is survived by his children: Robin Thomas, David Baker (Cynthia) and Annette Clark (Dwight); 10 grandchildren; and 24 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by Val, his wife of 69 years; his parents; three brothers and one sister.  He is loved by all who knew him and will be remembered eternally in many hearts.

We would like to thank all those who helped Nolan while he was at Abbington Memory Care--especially for the loving care they gave.

A viewing will be held Friday, November 3, 2023 from 6:30 to 8 pm at Lindquist Bountiful Mortuary (727 N 400 E, Bountiful, Utah).

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 4, 2023 at 11 am at the Ward Canyon Chapel (540 N 1200 E, Bountiful, Utah). A viewing will immediately precede the funeral from 9:30-10:30 am. Interment will be at the Bountiful City Cemetery (2224 South 200 West, Bountiful, Utah).

Services will be live-streamed and may be viewed by scrolling to the bottom of Nolan’s obituary page on Saturday the day of services.

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