Kent Jackson Baker Obituary (1950 - 2018)

Kent Jackson Baker spent his last days as he spent his whole life—focused on the people and things that he loved most. He spent the previous week with his life’s love, Julie, touring historic sites of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and sharing pictures and messages with their children and friends. On Monday, October 22, he passed away watching sports on television while wrapped in his favorite blanket, which his mother made for him decades ago. While he passed far too early, if he had to go, he probably would have said this was not a bad way to go. Kent was caring and generous. His family was the most important part of his life, and his family extended beyond those related by blood. He also cared for those he knew from church and his career, and those he interacted with in daily life—cashiers at the store, his hair stylist, those who lived on his street, and many more. Those who knew Kent counted him as a friend. Kent was born in Salt Lake City on March 22, 1950, to Rachel Jackson Baker and Grant Watkins Baker. His parents taught him to appreciate music, and his father gave him a love of puns, particularly those with pungent or punishing punchlines. He grew up in Salt Lake City. As a rambunctious boy, with an energy and sense of fun that he kept his whole life, he was proud that he gave himself three concussions—one from a monster dive off the high dive in Liberty Park that landed him in the shallow end. He was a proud alum of South High. While studying business at the University of Utah, he met Julie in December 1971. They began dating seriously the following spring and were engaged by summer. Kent and Julie were married and sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake LDS Temple on December 15, 1972. It was obvious to all who knew Kent that, from that time on, his highest purpose in life was to bring Julie happiness. These two made serving others a huge priority. Their home was always a place where their five daughters and all others who visited felt loved and comfortable being themselves. Kent ended up going into business with Julie’s father, Eugene Lloyd, and spent his entire career, up to the day he passed, helping establish E.C. Lloyd Company. Kent is survived by his wife, Julie Baker, and their five daughters: Kellie (Brigham) Daniels, Stephanie (Erik) Anderson, Amanda (Spencer) Millerberg, Alisa, and Jeanette (Michael) Zumwalt. He leaves a great legacy for his fifteen grandkids. He will be missed by his sisters Beverly (Kenneth) Crockett and Elise (Rick) Hellstrom. Kent was preceded in death by his parents, Grant and Rachel Baker, and his brothers, Roger Grant and Craig Jackson Baker. He loved his Savior and consistently testified that through Him, he would live with his family again. A viewing will be held Friday, October 26, from 6:00-8:00pm at the Jenkin-Soffe Funeral Home (1007 W South Jordan Parkway). A second viewing will be held the next day from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the South Jordan Stake Center at 2450 W 10400 S, where his funeral will follow at 11:00 a.m. Kent spent much of his life attending to the problems of others, so in lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, an organization that fights a disease that has complicated the lives of his dear wife, a sister, and a daughter.