Don Alan Baker

Don Alan Baker, 68, of San Angelo passed away August 17th, 2021 at Shannon Hospital while surrounded by family after a long battle with several illnesses. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday August 23rd at Cook-Walden Forest Oaks Memorial Park in Austin. Don was born July 4th, 1953 in Austin to Jim and Mary Baker. Upon graduating from Bishop High School in 1972, he attended 2 years at Texas A & I in Kingsville, before joining Texas DPS as a State Trooper in 1974. He married the love of his life, Connie Cornejo, on June 10th, 1974 in Kingsville – they celebrated 47 years of marriage and had one son. In 1980, Don moved to the Texas DPS aircraft section in Austin, where he flew planes and helicopters as an investigator before joining US Customs as a pilot in San Angelo in 1987. He retired from Customs Border Protection in 2008 and spent much of his time building airplanes in his hangar while living on a small community airstrip in La Vernia, TX. In 2013, Don and Connie moved to San Angelo where Don continued to live out his dream as an aircraft builder. Don was purely magnetic, as anyone who encountered him was certain to like him. Full of life with unmistakable laughs and smiles, he blessed the world with 68 years of positive energy and kind-heartedness. He was an avid pilot, aircraft builder, auto re-builder, loving husband and terrific father. At nearly 42 years of age, he ran the Austin Motorola Marathon, averaging 8.5 minute miles, having never competed in any event prior to that. Don is survived by his loving wife and best friend, Connie; his son Weldon Baker and wife Amy of Lamesa; his sister Rebecca and husband Eric of Austin; 3 grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Pallbearers include, Jamie Linderman, Michael Caracciolo, Tom Minton, Robert Cummings, Larry Cornejo and Brent Tarlton A local visitation will be held 3:00 to 5:00pm on Sunday August 22nd, 2021 at Harper Funeral Home in San Angelo, TX.