Howard D. Baker, 63, of Evansville, WY, passed August 14, 2010, at his home.

Visitation will be from noon until 9:00 p.m. on Friday at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis and resume one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 21, 2010, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Whitewood with Rev. David Baer officiating. Burial will follow at the Whitewood Cemetery.

Howard was born December 27, 1946, in Brookings, SD, to Emery B. & Edna S. (Balo) Baker. In 1956, the family moved from Eastern South Dakota to Newell, SD. Howard attended school in Newell and attended diesel mechanic school in Omaha, NE. He moved to Wyoming and was employed on the oil rigs and uranium mines as a diesel mechanic. He bought his own drill rig and worked at various uranium mines. After the mines closed, he trucked heavy equipment for the oil industry. He was an independent owner operator and long hauled freight for several oil companies. Howard loved to hunt, fish, mechanic, and be with his family and friends.

Howard married Laurie Gibson on December 1, 1988, in Sheridan, WY. From their union, they had 2 daughters, Crystal and Amber Baker. Howard had three children from a former marriage, April (Brent) Heller of Casper, WY, Dave D. Baker of Riverton, WY , and Jeremiah J. Baker of Casper, WY. He is also survived by brother: Ed A. (Billie Jean) Baker of Newell, SD; sister: Zeta E. (Virgil) Bennett of Belle Fourche, SD; brother: Eric F. (Carol) Baker of Sundance, WY; brother: Benson O. (Linda) Baker of Newell, SD; sister: Laura L. Baker of Torrington, WY; 3 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; 3 aunts; 1 uncle, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother, William E. Baker, and one grandson.

He was a great husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend.

A memorial has been established.