Edison I. Baker

Edison Baker, beloved husband, father and grandfather passed on Sunday, Jan 15th, 2023. He was 80 years old.

Edison was born in Longview, WA on April 9th, 1942, to parents Grace Leona Ballagh and Orville Leon Baker.  Ed had the love and support of three siblings, Antionette Lawson of Salem OR, Larry Baker (deceased) of Jefferson, OR and Merna Blagg of Vancouver, WA.   His family relocated from Longview to North Albany in the mid 1950’s.  Growing up Ed was active in 4H, Church youth group and a bass singer in the Albany Union High School Choir.   He graduated from Albany Union High School in 1960.  

Shortly after graduation, Ed made the decision to enlist in the military and joined the Marine Corps.  He completed his basic training in San Diego and photography school in Pensacola, FL.  Ed was stationed at El Toro Base in Southern California, as a military photographer.  During this time, he met the love of his life, a fellow Marine, Margaret McPeek.  Their first date was on Valentine's Day, 1962.  Ed and Margaret were married on Oct 3, 1962.  They recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.  

Once separated from the military they relocated back to the Northwest (Albany, OR) to start the next chapter of their lives and welcomed their first daughter Patricia Rose on Feb 13, 1964.  In 1965, Ed and Margaret moved to Fostoria, OH when Ed was offered a job as a school photographer supporting districts in the midwest.  

During their time in Ohio, they welcomed two additional children.  Cheryl Lynn was born on May 19, 1966, and Jennifer Eileen was born on Nov 16th, 1971.  In 1977, Ed and Margaret made the decision to move back to the Northwest to be closer to family - they relocated back to Albany, OR and that is where they established their family home on Chestnut St.   Shortly after that, they welcomed their youngest daughter, Canden Ceira (Candi) on May 19th, 1980.   

Ed spent a majority of his professional life as a newspaper photographer and managing large printing press operations.  He was elected as President of Toledo Printers Unions / Teamsters.   Ed led through a time of rapid technology change and was an early user of digital print during the later half of his career.

Ed always had a passion for photography, he loved music, the Pacific Ocean and any opportunity to learn a new fact and to share it with others.  He had a servant’s heart, always selflessly serving others through volunteer coaching, foster parenting and serving on the local boards such as Linn County Foster Care and Pacific Shores Resort.   Anyone who met Ed walked away with a full heart.  

Ed and Margaret retired to the Oregon Coast, spending their golden years in Newport until 2021 when they made the decision to move back into the family house on Chestnut St.

Ed and Margaret shared a beautiful life together.  Ed is survived by his daughters Patricia Andrews, her husband Greg Riddle and sons David Jefferery Andrews (Former Army) and Gabe Riddle; Cheryl Ebert, her husband Dave Ebert and their children Alexis Ebert, Edison Ebert (Active Air Force) and his wife Demi Ebert; Jennifer Burton, her husband Doug Burton and their daughters Lauren and Mya Burton; and Canden Privatsky, her husband Dennis Privatsky and their children Parker, Emerson and Easton Privatsky.  

Ed cherished his grandchildren, and his happiest times were spent at concerts, karate meets, golf, softball, basketball and football games.  He was proud of all of their accomplishments.

Please join us in celebrating Ed’s life and legacy on Jan 21, 2023, at the family home on Chestnut St, where he raised his family, and many cherished memories were made.  

“A great soul serves everyone all the time.  A great soul never dies.  It brings us together again and again” - Maya Angelou

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