It's Papa Baker's Birthday

David Jefferson Baker

This is Papa Baker. He was born David Jefferson Baker on this day in 1893 in Montague County, Texas. He was the oldest child of Thomas Jefferson Baker and Melissa Ann Ramsey Baker. His grandparents were Moses Jefferson Baker and Amanda Melugin Baker and David Crockett Ramsey, Jr. and Mary Elizabeth Lambert Ramsey.

He had an older half brother, James L. Baker from his father's first marriage. There may have been more children who died during an epidemic when the family lived in Missouri. After Thomas J. Baker's first wife and their children died he moved with his surviving son to Texas where he met Melissa Ann Ramsey. They married and had four sons and two daughters.

In 1908 when Papa Baker was 15 his father died. His mother remarried and had a daughter. At sometime Papa Baker moved to Oklahoma and the rest of the family followed. I'm not sure why or when they moved. On August 4, 1914, David J. Baker married Ida Leona Friels in Ringling, OK. They had three sons and three daughters.

Papa Baker also had a younger half brother when his mother married again in Oklahoma. Melissa died in 1925. The notes I have indicate that the photo at the right was taken the day of her funeral.

Papa Baker was sweet man and had a great sense of humor. One time when a tornado hit he and Ida's home in Ratliff City, OK it took the roof off their bedroom while they were sleeping. They just got up and went to bed in another bedroom.

Papa Baker was a farmer, rancher and oilfield contractor. He died on a Sunday morning on August 15, 1971 in the Healdton Hospital. His funeral was at the Assembly of God Church in Graham and the burial at Dixie Cemetery, Dixie, OK.

Happy birthday Papa Baker.

Love,

Territory Mom