Merlin Oakey Baker

Merlin Oakey Baker, 86, passed away on June 4, 2018 of natural causes.  He was born May 26, 1932 in Grant, Idaho to Harold Ray and Mary Donnetta Lewis Baker. Merlin met his sweetheart, Marian Johnson, during his senior year of high school. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on August 20, 1952. Marian passed away on May 5, 2006. Merlin was later married to Victoria Jane Ream from August 8, 2008 until her death on April 8, 2016.
Merlin graduated from Brigham Young University in 1953 with a BA in political science. He entered the US Army in March 1954 and served in the Counter Intelligence Corps until December 1955 when he was honorably discharged. Upon his return, he and his family moved to Chicago where he attended the University of Chicago Law School.  Because of his academic excellence, he was selected to serve on the University of Chicago’s Law Review Board of Editors. After graduating in 1959, Merlin and his family returned to Utah. He practiced at the law firm of Ray, Quinney, and Nebeker and later in private practice.
Merlin was an avid skier and tennis player. His children have fond memories of him teaching them to ski and playing tennis with them.  Merlin also loved music and enjoyed singing. He played the banjo, listened to folk and bluegrass music, and loved attending the symphony and opera, particularly the Christmas performance of Handel’s Messiah.
As a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Merlin served in many church positions. From 1976-79, he presided over the Canada Halifax Mission with his wife Marian. Their missionary service in Canada was one of the great highlights of their lives. During their mission, Merlin acquired the land upon which the Canada Halifax Temple was later built. Merlin and Marian also served together for more than three years as service missionaries in the LDS Addiction Recovery Program.
Merlin was a powerful public speaker and a skilled writer.  He authored numerous poems, as well as two books: Charity: Key to Gospel Motivation (2000) and Understanding Drug and Alcohol Addiction: An LDS Perspective (2004).
Merlin’s life was one of dedication and loyalty to the gospel and to his family.  As a man of spiritual depth who studied the gospel intently, Merlin was able to motivate and encourage others to remain true to the principles espoused by Jesus Christ.
Merlin is preceded in death by his wife Marian, wife Jane, parents, brother Kay Baker, son Jonathan Baker, and two grandsons, Michael Baker and David Miller. He is survived by his sister Colleen (Dick) Carter, and six children: Bruce Baker, Michelle (Kevin) Miller, Allyson Baker, Loring (Paul) Morgan, Shannon (Jerry) Moore, and Christopher (Makaria) Baker. He is also survived by 25 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 16, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at the Cottonwood 2nd Ward chapel, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2080 East 5165 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84117. Family and friends may call at the same location from 9:00-10:30 a.m. prior to the funeral. Interment will be at the Memorial Holladay Cemetery, 4900 S Memory Lane, Salt Lake City, Utah 84117. Funeral Directors: Memorial~Holladay Cottonwood Mortuary.
Special thanks to Visiting Angels and Elevation Hospice with our deep gratitude to Wayne, Greg, Karine, Amy, Alissa, Michael, Heather, Ken, and Miriam for their attentive and compassionate care.
Service Information
Viewing June 16, 2018 at 9:00-10:30 am
Cottonwood 2nd Ward Chapel, 2080 East 5165 South, Salt Lake City,Utah 84117





Funeral Service
June 16, 2018 at 11:00 AM
Cottonwood 2nd Ward Chapel, 2080 East 5165 South, Salt Lake City,Utah 84117