Ron Baker Passes Away at 85
Ronald Ray “Ron” Baker of Hermiston died on March 28, 2019 in Hermiston at the age of 85.
He was born on Dec. 26, 1933 in Pasco, Wash. to Edwin Markham and Mary Margorie Baker.
The family resided in Kahlotus, Wash. until 1937, when they moved to a dryland wheat ranch south of Ione. Ron was very active in 4-H livestock projects and enjoyed showing both beef and sheep. In 1951, he earned a delegate trip to the national 4-H camp in Washington, D.C., as well as graduated from Ione High School as the valedictorian.
Ron attended Washington State University. While there he was very active, receiving the 1954 Danforth Fellowship for outstanding student in the College of Agriculture; president of the Associated Students of College of Agriculture, president and founding father of Farm House Fraternity; named to top ten of graduating seniors; received his Bachelor of Science in Animal Science with highest honor; but most important and rewarding, met his future wife of over 61 years, Jane Irene Jacobson.
On June 19, 1955, Ron and Jane were married and moved to a small ranch in Hermiston. He worked for two years for Doane Agricultural Services as agricultural management consultant. In 1957 he established Beef Acres, which was a 3,000-head beef feedlot just off Loop Road. In 1961, along with Phillip Cohn, he developed C and B Livestock, Inc., which was a modern cattle and lamb feedyard south of Hermiston on Feedville Road. In 1969 he established the Beef Improvement Division of C and B, which was a cattle breeding program to help establish superior breeding genetics to help producers meet the demands for quality and cutability. Through his exploration and breeding of many different cattle breeds, he found the ones that rose to the top by his standards, and those were the Angus and the Simmental breeds.
Ron was always very active in both state and national organizations, including being on the National Cattlemen’s Association marketing committee from 1965 to 1970 – which later helped spearhead the formation of “Cattle Fax” – as well as the blue ribbon task force committee to the National Livestock and Meat Board from 1972 to 1974. He also enjoyed leadership roles with associations such as the Oregon Cattleman’s and the American Simmental. In 1972, he was awarded the Commercial Feeder of the Year by Feedlot Management. In 1973, he developed the PTL farming operation that was 3,000 acres of undeveloped farm ground off Powerline Road. By 1974, C and B had expanded to 18,000 head of cattle and 18,000 head of lambs. In 1976, Ron was awarded the Commercial Producer of the Year by the Beef Improvement Federation, and in 1985 was recognized as the National Cattleman Businessman of the Year by the National Cattlemen’s Association. Ron was a founding member of Hermiston Christian Center and a member of the Hermiston Rotary Club since 1965.
He is survived by brother, Duane Baker and wife Mary of Pleasanton, Calif; sister, Mardine Larsen and husband Don of Wenatchee, Wash.; daughter, Sheila Banke and husband Dan of McMinnville; daughter, Colleen Williams and husband Randy of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; daughter, Suzanne Coggins and husband Craig of San Antonio, Texas; daughter, Serena Beason and husband Jim of Fair Oaks, Calif.; Ray Baker of Hermiston; grandchildren, Nathaniel (Lindsey), Caleb (Annie), Danielle (Jadon), Rachel, Abby, Hannah, Kennidy, Kambree and Kilee; and great grandchildren, Jude, Preston and Everett.
Ron was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Jane Baker.
A celebration of life service will be held on Thursday, May 30, 2019 at 5 p.m. at the Hermiston Christian Center, 1825 W. Highland Ave., followed by a celebration.
In lieu of flowers or contributions, the family asks that you take a devotional time with our Lord and Savior and thank him for his blessings and mercy.
Please share memories of Ron with his family at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
