A family looks back at the life of their loved one, found dead Tuesday in Oologah Lake after a tragic boating accident.
Eighty-one year-old George Baker's body was recovered after officials said he collided his boat with another.
He went to the lake Tuesday morning to practice for a fishing tournament.
"He would say if I ever have a boating accident or die on the lake, don't be upset because I'm doing what I love," Joanna Baker, George's daughter-in-law said.
She said her father-in-law, who the family called "Granddad," was a character, that he lived and loved to fish before anything.
If you couldn't find him on Tuesdays, you'd likely find him on Oologah Lake, competing in the jackpot fish tournament.
"If it was raining he would fish," Joanna Baker said. "If he couldn't get on the lake, he'd go to the pond, he just loved, loved, loved to fish."
His love for fishing translates into the love he had for his family and high school sweetheart.
"His sweetheart, Vera Baker, she was an awesome lady. [They were] like Ozzie and Harriet. They were just absolutely unbelievable, married for over 60 years."
It was George's love for life that made him into the man his family adored.
"He was a fighter pilot and a Major in the Air Force and flew in Vietnam," Joanna Baker said. "When he came home he became a teacher."
He taught at Owasso and Oologah high schools, and was awarded teacher of the year twice.
George is well known around the area for his personality, but it was his fishing skills that were the talk of the town.
"He was doing what he loved. He's probably out there fishing now."
It's unknown right now the exact cause of George Baker's death, but his family said he did have a heart condition, which could have played a factor in the crash.
Those interested in attending the memorial service for Baker, it will be held Saturday May 14 at 10 a.m. at the First Christian Church of Owasso.
If you are unable to make the service but would like to donate money to the memorial fund, send it to the address listed below and label it as The George Baker Memorial.
C/O RCB Bank
11633 E 86 St. N
Owasso, OK 74055
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