John Brian Baker, 56

John Brian Baker, 56, of Long Beach, Calif., passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, Aug. 24, 2008, while visiting his family in Sagle, Idaho.

Memorial services will be held in California on John's birthday on September 13.

He was born in Long Beach, Calif., on Sept. 13, 1951, to Donald C. Baker and Dollie J. Baker. He moved to North Idaho in 1960 and attended schools in Sandpoint, graduating Sandpoint High School in 1969. John attended the University of Idaho before transferring to Long Beach University.

John married Vicki Busby on Dec. 24, 1977, in Long Beach. The couple later had a son, Brian.  John worked as a surveyor on large construction and development projects for more than 30 years and was a member of Operating Engineers Local No. 12.

John was a wonderful caring father, there wasn't anything more important to him than his son Brian. He enjoyed playing volleyball, sports, fishing and reading.  John was a kind, thoughtful honest person with an effervescent sense of humor who loved to laugh. He will be greatly missed and we will all miss him making us laugh.

He is survived by his father, Donald (JoEllen) Baker of Sagle, Idaho; mother, Dollie (Joe) Kocarnik, of Bullhead City, Ariz.; son, Brian of Huntington Beach, Calif.; two sisters, Sally Baker of Portland, Ore., and Christine (Gregory) Miller of Sagle, Idaho; two brothers, Dan (Angie) Baker of Sandpoint, and Jeffrey (Leony) Baker of Oldtown, Idaho; and friend, Stacy Hujing of Long Beach. He is also survived by numerous uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling the arrangements. Please visit John's online memorial at www.lakeviewfuneral.com and sign his guest book.