Obituary for Harry Richard Baker
Harry Richard Baker, 86, passed away Wednesday, November 30, 2022, at his home in Cynthiana. He was born in Logansport, IN, on November 17, 1936, to the late Elvin and Bertha Murray Baker. He was also preceded in death by a son, Mark Richard Baker; a brother, Edward Baker; and one sister Jackuline Myers.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Crystal Irene Baker; a son, Terry Lynn Baker; one daughter, Kim (Glenn) Ann Dubey; two grandchildren, Rebecca Christine Baker, Shane Lee Dubey; and one great grandchild, Prestin Lee Walters.
Harry grew up and attended the local grade and high schools earning letters as a half back in football for the Logansport Berries. After school, he would hang out at the fairgrounds where he took an interest in training and driving harness horses. At the age of 18, he became the youngest driver with the United States Trotting Association to hold an A license (pari-mutuel). At the time, Indiana didn’t have pari-mutuel, he moved his stable to Hamilton, OH, holding the honor of top trainer/driver at several of the Ohio tracks. Later he moved to the Red Mile, Lexington, KY, where he also held that same honor of top trainer/driver while campaigning his stable at the Chicago, Minnesota and Wheeling, WV tracks. Chipsy Spar, Chyleen, Prince Flyer, Pink Cloud, Follicks Time, S. V. Rival, Spots Star, Pleasing Art and X-ardo were some of the stars in the barn and catch driving several others. Time went on with earnings of $500,000. In 1991, things came to a halt with an accident at Red Mile. A horse got loose on the track, came out of the upper draw gate running over Harry and the horse he was bathing. This sent him to the hospital with severe injuries ending his business and career. Retirement was difficult, bought a home and stayed in Lexington, KY, working security at the Red Mile for several years. Along the way, he married Crystal “Cris” Smith in 1958, raising three children. With all of the horse related injuries, COPD, broken hip, broken back, and a stroke, Harry fought a hell’va battle that ended on November 30, 2022…
A graveside service will be held at the convenience of the family. View and sign the guestbook at www.warefuneralhome.com
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Crystal Irene Baker; a son, Terry Lynn Baker; one daughter, Kim (Glenn) Ann Dubey; two grandchildren, Rebecca Christine Baker, Shane Lee Dubey; and one great grandchild, Prestin Lee Walters.
Harry grew up and attended the local grade and high schools earning letters as a half back in football for the Logansport Berries. After school, he would hang out at the fairgrounds where he took an interest in training and driving harness horses. At the age of 18, he became the youngest driver with the United States Trotting Association to hold an A license (pari-mutuel). At the time, Indiana didn’t have pari-mutuel, he moved his stable to Hamilton, OH, holding the honor of top trainer/driver at several of the Ohio tracks. Later he moved to the Red Mile, Lexington, KY, where he also held that same honor of top trainer/driver while campaigning his stable at the Chicago, Minnesota and Wheeling, WV tracks. Chipsy Spar, Chyleen, Prince Flyer, Pink Cloud, Follicks Time, S. V. Rival, Spots Star, Pleasing Art and X-ardo were some of the stars in the barn and catch driving several others. Time went on with earnings of $500,000. In 1991, things came to a halt with an accident at Red Mile. A horse got loose on the track, came out of the upper draw gate running over Harry and the horse he was bathing. This sent him to the hospital with severe injuries ending his business and career. Retirement was difficult, bought a home and stayed in Lexington, KY, working security at the Red Mile for several years. Along the way, he married Crystal “Cris” Smith in 1958, raising three children. With all of the horse related injuries, COPD, broken hip, broken back, and a stroke, Harry fought a hell’va battle that ended on November 30, 2022…
A graveside service will be held at the convenience of the family. View and sign the guestbook at www.warefuneralhome.com