The Richmond News, Feb. 21, 2025

Richard Baker

Richard Eugene Baker of Hardin passed away peacefully at 2:25 a.m. Feb. 13, 2025, with his loving family by his side. Richard was born Sept. 14, 1932, in Independence to Theodore Wellington and Helen Gwendolyn (Morris) Baker. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Lulabelle (Holloway); two daughters, Stacy (Jeff) Wolfe of Hardin and Krista (Richard) Stigall of Overland Park, Kan.; granddaughter, Ellie Stigall of Kansas; brother, Donald “Donnie” (Natalie) Baker of Carlton, Texas; sister-in-law, Mary Lou (Kenny) Leslie; and seven nieces and 12 nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers, Theodore Edward (“T.E.”), Raymond Irvin, Robert Lee, Kenneth LeRoy and Lawrence Ray; and sister, Doris Mae Drooger.

Richard started school at Peacedale in Atherton. In 1942, at age 10, the family moved to Hardin, where he graduated in 1951 from high school.

He worked at the family owned and operated sawmill behind their home in Hardin. From there, he would go on wheat harvests with his father and brothers, doing custom combining across Kansas, Nebraska, the Dakotas and Montana.

In December 1952, he went into the U.S. Army during the Korean War, serving his time in Germany as a gun mechanic. He was honorably discharged in December 1954 and went to school at Research Medical Center, where he obtained training as an X-Ray technician. He was called back to serve on standby in the military reserve until December 1960.

He worked for TWA, Lake City and farmed for several years before finding his calling as an owner/operator driving a truck until retiring in 1998. He worked on the construction of the Hardin overpass. He also worked tireless hours for Damon Purcell during the 1993 flood in the Carrollton area.

In 1975, he purchased his first “new” truck – a red and white International Transtar 4200. After his official retirement, he drove for several more years for local farmers, hauling grain.

In his spare time, Richard helped his brother Kenny in the construction business.

He loved woodworking. He handmade a cane that he was proud of and would come in handy over the years.

In his earlier years, he enjoyed hunting trips to Colorado, water skiing at the Lake of the Ozarks and riding motorcycles, all with his sweetheart Lulabelle by his side. He loved spending time with his family, his special granddaughter, and his nephews and nieces. He will be dearly missed.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to either the American Alzheimer’s Association or Hardin United Methodist Church. They can be left at or mailed to Thurman Funeral Home; 507 E. Main St.-P.O. Box 190; Richmond, MO 64085.

Visitation with funeral services will be held Saturday, Feb. 22, at Thurman Funeral Home in Richmond, with visitation beginning at 1 p.m., followed by the services at 2.

Inurnment will be held at a later date. Please share your memories of Richard with the family by visiting www.thurmanfuneralhome.com.