Larry Richard Baker Sr.

Born Larry Richard Baker, Sr to the late Helen Laverne Sebastian and Larry Monroe Baker on May 27, 1937 in Indianapolis. His step-father, Charles Robinson, soon became ‘dad’ to him. Larry graduated from Manual Training High School in 1955. He took pride in being the bass drummer for the Manual Band that won first place in the State Marching Band contest in 1955.

After working three years at Heppenstahl Steel Company, Larry became an apprentice for machine repair at Allison Division of General Motors. After completing that three-year course, he worked as an apprentice for machine design and building – a six-year program. During this time, Larry was blessed to become a dad to Terri Marie and Larry Richard II.

Later, Larry designed and built a machine called Sajo for Allison that was shipped to Sweden. He was asked to go there to set it up. That was truly a highlight of his career. While Larry was there, he had the privilege of touring the recently dedicated Swedish Temple.

Larry ended his 35-year career as a supervisor over all machine building and repair. Upon retirement Larry began serving for the church as the Physical Facilities Representative on the Stake High Council and served for 10 years. He was involved in the construction of several meeting houses in central and southern Indiana.
Probably Larry’s proudest accomplishment was his work on the Stop 11 meeting house. He gave up two nights and every Saturday for almost 2 years to work on this very building. He did everything from digging trenches to making most of the original cabinets. He also put up most of the ceiling tiles in the classrooms. His favorite story was the time he and Don Jordan were covering the front beam in the Chapel, and someone announced, ‘time to go home’ and turned off all the lights in the building. This left he and Don up on one end of the beam and their ladder on the other end. They held on to each other and eventually made their way across the beam to the ladder side.

Larry was very proud of his heritage. His great grandmother was reportedly one of the first ‘Mormons’ baptized in Indianapolis. On page 10 of the beautiful Indianapolis Temple book, his grandparents Edward and Anna Faulting are mentioned as holding meetings in their home.

Emmerich Manual Training High School played a major role in his life. First as the bass drummer in the marching band where he met Mary, his future wife, who played clarinet. Later Larry served as president of the Manual 50 Year Club for 10 years. Annual meetings went from less than 100 attendees to close to 500 people.

Larry might be best known for his magnificent workshop with over a dozen large toolboxes filled with neatly arranged tools of all sorts and a wall of screwdrivers. Every cabinet in their large home was built by his talented hands. Much of the woodwork came from the old chapel pews which he and Don took apart, brought home and cut into useful boards. From adding new porches, changing the entire exterior color and adding a two-story addition by designing, getting the building permit and digging trenches within 3 days, Larry enjoyed transforming his home which he bought in 1977.

The best part of his life was the love he shared with Mary. As mentioned, they met in the Manual Band in 1951. He invited her to the Senior Prom in 1955 and she gladly accepted on 5-5-55. Unfortunately, their lives went separate ways until August 2008. Mary came back to Indy and she and Larry constantly dated until they were happily married on March 6, 2009. Larry and Mary were then sealed in the Louisville Kentucky Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on December 12, 2009.

During their 13-year marriage they travelled extensively – taking at least 14 cruises, several bus tours and Mary driving many miles in one of their Cadillacs. Going to the Symphony or Beef and Boards and eating out were among their shared pleasures. A big highlight for Mary and Larry was celebrating their 79th birthday open house at their home.

They enjoyed hosting Christmas parties with friends and family to show off their magnificently lighted home and Christmas villages. Larry’s enthusiasm for his workshop, drums, and stories was such that you often had many opportunities to enjoy learning and re-learning about Larry’s passions. His extensive model car collection along with many other types of vehicles was a big hit on his regular home tours for visitors.

Larry leaves the love of his life, Mary, his brother Thomas Robinson of Phoenix, AZ, children Terri Marie Solomon (John), Larry Richard Baker II (Barbara), grand children Steve (Erika) and Corey (Heidi) VanDeVanter, Michele (Joe) Wisher, and Spencer Solomon, many great grandchildren and a great-great granddaughter as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sisters Phyllis Overfield and Sandra Bradfield.

Family and friends will gather for visitation on Sunday, May 1, 2022 from 4pm-7pm at Singleton and St. Pierre Funeral and Cremation Services, 7602 Madison Ave. Indianapolis, IN 46227. A short visitation will also be held on Monday, May 2, 2022 from 10am-10:45am, followed by the funeral service at 11am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 900 E. Stop 11 Rd. Indianapolis, IN 46227. Entombment will immediately follow the funeral service at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens Cemetery in Greenwood, IN.

To send flowers to the family or place a tree in memory of Larry Richard Baker Sr., please visit our Tribute Store.