Neighbor Bob

[golden optimist]

I heard at breakfast this morning that Neighbor Bob, one of my dredging buddies that lived about a mile up the road, died last week . The herd is thinning out! Rest in Peace Bob.

Leonard

[russau]

Sorry to hear this Leonard! Bob may you rest in peace!

[Hoser John]

gettn' too close for comfort. Rip-John

[Matt Mattson]

Yep. Thinning out. Probably already posted but if not: John Baker died in Sutherlin, Oregon.

[golden optimist]

Sutherlin is where I grew up. Go north out of town a few miles and you can find Leeper Road.

https://www.google.com/maps/@43.3935314 ... 579911,17z

Leonard

[russau]

R.I.P.John Baker! Matt I didn't see the posting of John Baker anywhere on the net.

[Matt Mattson]

Found this, Russ (wasn't easy):

John LeRoy Baker

affectionately known as Papa by his grandchildren, was born “Carson Jones” in Roseburg Oregon December 30th 1943 to Ace and Verla Jones of Myrtle Creek. He was adopted by John and Mildred Baker as a young boy and was raised in Iola Kansas. John was active in sports playing basketball, baseball and track for Iola high school where he still has records standing today. The night of January 8th 2016 John passed away peacefully during a nap in his chair by the fire. John had just turned 72. John was survived by his daughter Terri Pendergrass, twin sons Erick and Jeff Baker, and 10 grandchildren.

He was very passionate about sports, gold prospecting, hunting and fishing. He was very proud of his heritage, coming from the great line of Nez Perce Indians. He loved to talk about how his great, great, grandfather was the amazing Chief Joseph.

John served in the Airforce as a medic in the 60s. He was a hardworking man who would do anything for his 3 children and 10 grandchildren. John was a “jack of all trades” as he’d done everything from painting, mill work, working on cars to working for the movie industry. John spent his time cutting firewood right up to his last day on earth. John enjoyed life to his fullest and lived how he wanted. He was tougher than nails and walked off a lot of injuries that most people would nurse for weeks. To all those who knew him he was a loving man who lived for his family. Outliving several of his siblings and his heart surgeon. To his family, John seemed almost immortal.

There is to be a celebration of life at Family Church in Sutherlin, in the event center, on Saturday January 16th at noon and a meal of remembrance at Abby’s pizza in Sutherlin, at 2 pm, one of his most frequented hang outs.

[russau]

WOW ! Johns story is something everyone would be proud of! Im sure he is missed very much!! Thank you Matt for posting Johns story!

[Hoser John]

We are greatly diminished by his passing. Sounds like a great man to me....RIP-John

[libertydave]

I remember John Baker from DEF days in 2001-02 and in later years on SF Umpqua in Oregon. Matt...you were there! John always talked of your friendship and your amazing gold recoveries. That was fifteen years ago and today we can no longer dredge on the Umpqua or in ANY Oregon river. Sad!!!

Also recall John Baker when he worked with another NW dredger called "Star Wars". Others there at DEF were Bill Brew, Leonard, oh...if I could only recall the names. Leonard...do you have a photo of those many dredges lined up across the river? Those were fun times and the gold was also in the friendships made. Seems the memories just more distant yet become vivid after a few beers. Sadly, we are losing many of our mining friends.

Dave