Dean S. Baker

BAKER, Dean Scott Hall “Scotty,” DVM, 79, of Upper Arlington, surrounded by his family, he went home to his Lord and Savior on Tuesday January 8, 2008, in Riverside Methodist Hospital, following a brief illness.

Dean was born August 15, 1928 in Columbus, Ohio, the son of Dean Baxter Baker and Gertrude Florence Hall Baker who preceded him in death, along with his sister, Virena Vivian Baker Myers; and brother-in-law, Ralph Emil Mowery and wife of 49 years, Patricia Mowery Baker.

He attended the Brown School, a one-room school on his family’s property, through the fifth grade. While in junior high school, Dean knew that his life’s calling was veterinary medicine. He graduated from Cadiz High School in 1946 and following his grandfather, Jesse Hall and sister, Virena Vivian Baker Myers, attended Denison University for one year. Dean was accepted into the accelerated and combined six-year program for veterinary medicine at The Ohio State University and graduated in 1954.

He married Patricia Jane Mowery on September 5, 1954 and began his tour of duty in France as a Captain in the U.S. Air Force. He later established veterinary practices in Bellevue, Ohio, Linworth, Ohio, Granville, Ohio and Upper Arlington, Ohio. He retired in 1994. During his career, Dean mentored many young veterinarians.

Dean was a member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity; Alpha Psi Veterinary Fraternity; and the American Association of Veterinary Medicine. He was also a member of The Ohio Veterinary Medical Association; Columbus Academy of Veterinary Medicine; and a founding member of the Columbus Veterinary Emergency Services. He was a board member of the First National Bank of Jewett; a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason for 25 years; and a member of the Aladdin Temple Shrine.

Dean was also a member of Covenant Presbyterian Church; the Harrison County Historical Society; and he and his wife, along with his parents, sister and brother-in-law founded The Baker Institute for Historical Studies. Dean was an avid OSU Buckeye fan and traveler.

He is survived by his daughter, Elizabeth Jane Baker of Upper Arlington, Ohio; son, Robert Dean Baker of Powell, Ohio; granddaughters, Amanda Lee Baker of Indianapolis, Ind., Lindsey Cecil Baker of Dublin, Ohio and Chelsea Pierce Baker of Dublin, Ohio; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, G. Robert and Alicia Myers of Steubenville, Ohio and Palm City, Fla., and George “Bud” Sherman and Barbara Mowery of Lancaster, Ohio; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, as well as 1-3 and 6-8 p.m. Friday at Schoedinger Northwest Chapel, 1740 Zollinger Road, Upper Arlington.

Funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, January 12, 2008 at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 2070 Ridgecliff Road, Upper Arlington, OH 43221. Pastor Tracy R. Keenan will officiate.

There will be a reception immediately following at the church.

Additional visitation hours will be held from noon-2 p.m. on Sunday at Clark-Kirkland Funeral Home, 172 S. Main Street, Cadiz, Ohio.

A graveside burial service will be at 2:15 p.m. Sunday at Greenwood Cemetery, Hopedale, Ohio.

If desired, contributions may be made to the Music Program at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Dean’s memory.

His family wishes to thank the following people for their kindness and compassion: Dr. Mark Evans, Dr. Douglas Scharre, Dr. Peter Zafirides, Dr. James Lamb, Dr. David Richards, Gerri Maynard, the staff and nurses at Abbington of Arlington, The Forum at Knightsbridge II and the Healthcare Center.

Dean was a loving and loyal husband, devoted brother, father and grandfather and a faithful follower of Jesus Christ. God blessed his life and fulfilled his dreams with a beautiful family, productive and successful career, and many dear friends.