Paul C. Baker, age 92, passed away in Stromsburg, NE on Sunday, February 19, 2017.

He was born December 4, 1924, near Miller, NE to George and Lillie (Hess) Baker, and graduated from Sumner High School in 1942.

He was active in the Army Air Corps from 1942 - 1946 during World War II, spending 19 months overseas in the South Pacific including Okinawa where he was when the war ended.
After returning home to Kearney in 1946, he attended Kearney State College, graduating in 3 years in 1949 with a BA in Education Degree.He later received his Masters in Education from the University of Wyoming Laramie.

His first teaching and coaching job was in Culbertson for 2 years.He then moved to O'Neill for 4 years where he taught and coached, and was later the High School Principal.
In 1957 Paul was employed as a territory manager for Continental Oil in O'Neill and Omaha.Longing to return to education, he accepted the position as Principal of the Schuyler High School, where he remained for 7 years.

In 1966 he became Principal of Fremont Junior High School until his retirement in 1987.During his career, he was a charter member and elected First Vice President and then the second President, of the Nebraska Association of Secondary School Principals.In 1984 he was selected as the first Nebraska Secondary School Principal of the Year.He was also a charter member of the Nebraska Association of Retired School Administrators.

Paul was proud to be a 50+ year member of the Masonic Lodge, American Legion, Rotary Club and Methodist Church.

Paul married Mary Faulhaber in O'Neill on November 13, 1956.They had three daughters.Susan, Barbara and Nan.Mary passed away in 1988.Paul married Audrey Myers in 1993 and returned to Schuyler, and she passed away in 2002.Paul moved to York in 2012. He spent his last 10 months at Midwest Covenant Home in Stromsburg.

Paul's interests included coaching, refereeing, watching sports, and traveling.He enjoyed golfing and spending time in The Big Horn Mountains of Wyoming throughout his retirement years.He loved public speaking and singing.Paul thoroughly enjoyed attending his grandchildren's activities.

Survivors include his three daughters, Susan Sundeen of Omaha; Barbara (Robert) Woodruff; Three grandchildren; Blake, Chase and Sydney and granddog Wags all of York; and Nan (Dwight) Miller of Sheridan, WY.Other survivors include nephew Roger (Kristy) Volentine of North Platte, and long-time friend Billie Ernst of Columbus.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents, his two wives, his sister Thelma, brother-in-law Wilbur and nephew, Ronald Volentine all of Kearney.

Memorials may be directed to the Fremont Public School Foundation.

A visitation will take place from 4:00 - 8:00 PM Wednesday, February 22, 2017, at Dugan Funeral Chapel in Fremont.Family will be present from 6:00 - 8:00 PM.

Funeral Services will be at 11:00 AM Thursday, February 23, 2017, at First United Methodist Church in Fremont.Reverend Michael McGregor will be officiating.

Burial will be at Memorial Cemetery with military honors conducted by the Fremont Honor Guard of VFW Post #854 and American Legion Post #20.