Clifford B. "Snip" Baker

Funeral services for Clifford B. (Snip) Baker, a Watonga, Oklahoma resident, will be held on August 2, 2021, at 2:00 P.M. at the Fay Auditorium with David Beck officiating.  Burial will follow in the Mount Hope Cemetery under the direction of Lockstone Funeral Home of Thomas.

Snip was born on June 27, 1923, near Nobscot along the South Canadian River in Dewey County, Oklahoma, to R.B. and Mary Baker.  He passed away on Thursday, July 29, 2021, in Watonga, Oklahoma, at the age of 98 years, one month, and 2 days.

Snip attended Bell School until completing eighth grade then graduated from Oakwood High School in 1941.  He worked for the Santa Fe Railroad following graduation and prior to enlisting in the United States Navy.  He reported for duty on May 19, 1944, eight days after marrying Evelyn Pennington on May 11, 1944; this marriage that lasted 76 years.  During WWII, he served in CASU 28 North Atlantic Air Arm loading bombs, working on airplanes, and being a part of the crew that scanned up and  down the east coast for enemy submarines.  Upon his discharge from the Navy on March 4, 1946, he and Evelyn (Penny) began their family. To this union four daughters were born.  In 1950, they bought a farm north of Fay, He attended welding school, farmed, and in 1953 was appointed Rural Letter Carrier for Route One which included Fay, Oakwood, and Eagle City patrons.  After 28 years and a route that grew from 33 miles to 146 miles, he retired from the US Postal Service and returned to farming and raising cattle.

During his lifetime, Snip was quite active and served in many capacities.  He was a member of the Fay United Methodist Church, the Mount Hope Cemetery Board, the American Legion and Disabled Veterans, the Oklahoma Mineral Owners Association, and Blaine County Farm Bureau where he proudly served on the executive boards. He was also a member of the Fay Community Association and Fay Senior Citizens where he helped to maintain the school building.  He was a patriot and designed a memorial room and made many flag cases for local deceased veterans.  He made wooden crosses for each veteran buried at Mount Hope and placed flags in the crosses each Memorial and Veterans Day.  As a result of his contributions to Dewey County and western Oklahoma, Snip was honored to be nominated to the Dewey County Hall of Fame.

The Bakers loved to travel and were excited to share their latest adventure.  These trips took them to most all of the states.  When they were at home, they were great hosts for a meal to celebrate each birthday, holiday, or guest who was passing through.  The original three-room house needed a new porch occasionally, and each new porch turned into a new room somehow; therefore, creating plenty of room for everyone.  Snip and Penny lived on the hill north of Fay for 66 years before moving to Watonga in 2016, due to their declining health.  The American way of life was very important to him, and after many miles of travel and sight-seeing, Dewey County, Oklahoma was his favorite place to be.

Snip is survived by four daughter, Janice Stinson (husband Allen) of Fay, Phyllis Hightower (husband Gary) of Watonga, Trinna Caldwell (husband Rod) of Watonga, and Lanee Mahoney of Yukon, Oklahoma.

His grandchildren are Brad Stinson (wife Tanya), Chad Stinson (wife Rossemary), Thad Stinson (wife Skye), Brian Hightower (wife Kristyn), Greg Hightower (wife Jayme), Hollie Williams (husband Jason), Kyle Caldwell, Bethany Parham (husband Loren), Dustin Mahoney (Mika), Lacey Savage (husband Will) and Hilary Mahoney.

The great-grandchildren are Sebastian, Angelina, Veronica, Rebecca, and Kateri Stinson; Noah, Ady, Mackenzie, Morgan, Maegan, and Gideon Hightower; Braxton and Baron Williams, Ezra and Myra Caldwell; Caden, Kinsley, Kyler, and Creed Parham; Gracie, Carson, and Maguire Mahoney, Maverick and Everett Savage, Jordan Mahoney, and Preston Webb.

He was preceded in death by his wife Evelyn, his parents, four sisters Melba Kay Baker, Arvilla Cline, Mable Lovelace, Marlie Hawk; two brothers Millage Baker and R.L Baker, as well as his son-in-law Mike Mahoney.