One of the few things that both Democrats and Republicans in the State Legislature can agree upon is their respect for Chief Sergeant-At-Arms Dennis Baker.

Representatives of both parties eulogized Baker, a Kingfisher native whose 60-plus year professional and government career shattered racial barriers, at his funeral service Saturday at St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Oklahoma City.

Baker, 87, the brother of Kingfi sher resident Elnorah Yarbrough, died Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, in Oklahoma City.

Rep. Harold Wright (R-Dist.47), speaker pro tempore, and Rep. Regina Goodwin (D-Dist. 73), of the Oklahoma Black Caucus, both spoke at Baker’s funeral in recognition of his 21 years of service as sergeant-at-arms.

The third of four children born to the Rev. and Mrs. E.R. Baker in Kingfisher, Baker is a 1950 graduate of Douglas High School in Kingfi sher, where he met his high school sweetheart, Norma.

The two married on Oct. 20, 1951, and then moved to Wichita, Kan., after the birth of their second child.

Baker earned an associate’s degree in applied science and technology from Wichita Business College and began his professional career as an aircraft mechanic for Boeing Aircraft.

In a career advancement 12 years later, Baker moved to IBM, where he became the first African American customer engineer in the office products division for Western U.S.

After several promotions, Baker relocated to Philadelphia as an instructor in IBM’s educational department and then promoted again to a management position in Washington, D.C., a job he held for 12 years.

He then transferred to Oklahoma City, where he worked in the business development division before retiring from IBM after 28 years of service.

After his retirement, Baker continued to share his expertise on a contract basis as both a quality control engineer and career tech substitute teacher.

He began working as chief sergeant-at-arms for the State House in 1998 and then in 2006 was appointed Chief Sergeant-At-Arms.

In addition to his responsibilities of maintaining order, scheduling committee rooms and carrying out the directives terminology, and establish and maintain effective working relationship with House members, other House employees and with the general public.

Baker also was a longtime Mason. He became Master Mason in King David Lodge No. 50 after moving to Oklahoma City in 1981, and served as Worshipful Master for three years in the same lodge.

Baker advanced to 32^nd Degree Mason in 1983 in Great Western Consistory No. 34, where he served as Commander in Chief for 14 years.

He also served as Assistant and Chief Rabban in the Alaraf Temple No. 20 for four years.

Baker’s memory was honored at a special Masonic service last Friday night.

Baker and his wife celebrated their 68th year of marriage five days before his death, raising seven children.

The son of a Kingfi sher minister, Baker has always been active in church.

In Washington, D.C., he was a member of the First Baptist Church of Highland Park, where he was ordained as a deacon and served as chairman of the board of trustees.

He played an integral role in church expansion during his tenure.

The family joined St. John Missionary Baptist Church when they relocated to Oklahoma City, where Baker served on the deacon board and finance and budget and scholarship committees. He also served as a men’s Sunday school teacher and February parish fellowship deacon.

In addition to his wife and sister, Baker is survived by sons LaRoy Baker of Oklahoma City and Charles C. Baker of Washington, D.C.; daughters Kim and husband Clarence Chaney and Rhonda and husband Michael Williams, all of Oklahoma City, and Bernice Baker and Lisa Baker, both of Fort Worth, Texas; 10 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his daughter Donna and brothers Walter Baker and Emery Baker.