Calvin R. Baker Jr

Calvin R. Baker Jr., 87, a prominent retired Las Vegas businessman and jeweler, passed away on Saturday. He was preceded in death by his father, Calvin Sr.; his mother, Margaret; a sister Juanita, and a brother Henry. He is survived by his wife Alnita of the family home; one son, Calvin Baker III and wife Alana of Las Vegas, NM; a daughter, Sheryl Sue Davidson and husband J. R of Warrensburg, Missouri; a sister-in-law Viola Baker of Edgewood, NM; and three grandchildren: Timothy, Isaiah, and Eljiah Davidson of Missouri.
He was born on July 16, 1922 in La Mesa, California to the late Calvin Russell Baker and Margaret Adeline Phinney. His father was a jeweler, watchmaker, and a lawyer. Calvin moved to Las Vegas, NM with his parents and siblings in 1940 when his parents purchased Martin's Jewelers. He graduated from Castle High School in 1940 and attended Adams State College in Alamosa, Colorado and New Mexico Highlands University. He served during World War II and the Korean Conflict in the United States Marine Corps and was honorably discharged in 1952 with the rank of Captain. He received the Bronze Star, the Korean Service Medal and the United Nations Service Medal. On March 8, 1953 he was united in marriage to Catherine Alnita Rikard at the First Presbyterian Church here in Las Vegas, a relationship of over fifty-seven years. He was a jeweler and watchmaker like his father and later taught his son everything he knew about the business. He owned and operated Gordon Jewelry Co., Inc from 1947 until his retirement in January of this year. Though he retired, he was active in the business until he became ill in March of 2010.
His hobbies included photography, skiing, traveling and supporting various charities and charitable organizations in Las Vegas. He was a long time member and past president of the Las Vegas Rotary Club and the New Mexico Jewelers Association. He was an active member of the Independent Jewelers Organization, Retail Jewelers Organization, and was a Master Mason of Chapman Lodge #2 AF-AM and was a member of the First United Presbyterian Church.
Services will be held from the First United Presbyterian Church on Tuesday with a visitation beginning at 1:00 p.m. followed by a funeral service at 2:00 p.m. Rev. Randy Campbell will officiate. Cremation will follow the services and the interment will take place at a later date. The family has requested memorials to the First United Presbyterian Church, 1000 Douglas Avenue, Las Vegas, NM in his memory.

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