Wilbur James “Bud” Baker died peacefully on Tuesday, September 27, 2016 at his home in Fairview surrounded by his family and friends.
A celebration of life service for Bud will be held on Saturday, October 8, 2016 from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at the Waterhole in Fairview.
Bud was born on May 21, 1939 in Poplar, Mont. to Eugene and Lucille Baker. He attended school in Scobey, Mont. where he graduated with the class of 1957. Bud ended his high school days by winning three events in the District High School Rodeo in Scobey. He then went on to win state in bull riding and competed in the National Finals in Albuquerque where he placed in both bull riding and bulldogging.
On June 7, 1959 Bud married Joan Treftz in Richey. From this union three children were born: Barry, Gary and Leann.
Bud began working for the Montana State Highway Department in 1957. He worked on many bridge projects over the next 16 years in Glasgow, Sidney, Glendive, Great Falls, Ekalaka and Miles City. In 1973 he moved to Richey and took over operation of the family farm. He continued to farm and ranch 3 miles south of Richey until 1997 when he sold the farm, purchased a tractor trailer and finished his working career joining his brother, Richard, at Midnight Trucking in Fargo, N.D.
Bud spent his retirement years in Fairview where he could devote his time to his passion of restoring and repairing old windmills. One of his most recent restorations resides at the Frontier Gateway Museum in Glendive. He enjoyed fishing and spent many days on the Yellowstone and Missouri Rivers with friends and family. The highlight of every year was spending elk season up at Taylor Fork with a tight group that shared his love of the mountains and hunting. But if you were new to the group, that was ok, everyone was welcome and treated as family. It was always good to have new ears to hear old stories.
Cowboy, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, mentor and friend… Bud was a lot of things to a lot of people. He was also the definition of tough, but had a gentleness and smile that touched your heart. He always made everyone feel comfortable and welcome.
Bud is survived by his sons, Barry (Charlene) Baker of Odem, Texas and Gary (Stephanie) Baker of Fairview; daughter, Leann (Kevin) Pignone of Libertyville, Ill.; brothers, Eddy (Clara) and Jerry Baker; and sister, Maxine (Don) Manthei. He also leaves behind 9 grandchildren and many great grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Eugene and Lucille Baker; wife, Joan Baker; brothers, Ben and Richard Baker; and grand-daughter, Jeni Carter.