Hardy Eugene Baker, 88, of Springfield, Missouri passed away January 14, 2010. Hardy was born March 5, 1921 in Springfield, Mo., son of the late Marion F. "Shorty" and Eva Baker. Hardy attended Rountree, Jarrett, Greenwood and Springfield Sr. High School. His father, "Shorty," was a fireman who came up through the ranks to become Chief. His mother, Eva, was the manager of the boy's department at Barth's and an excellent Bridge player. He was a loving son, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, and will be greatly missed. Hardy was a WWII veteran, serving in the CBI theater where he attained the rank of Corporal. He received the Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, American Theater Ribbon, and Victory Medal. He gave honest and faithful service to God and his country. Following his military service, Hardy attended both Drury College and Southwest Missouri State College. He graduated from SMS in 1948. He worked for GMAC for 26 years, and often joked he was retired longer than he worked. In his retirement years, he enjoyed Kiwanis, golfing, gardening, and attending local sporting events. One of his proudest moments was achieving the ever elusive hole-in-one at Grandview Golf Course. Hardy is survived by his wife of 62 years, Betty Doggett Baker; five children, Hardy E. "Russ" Baker II, Boerne, Texas, Cynthia Ann "Cindy" Baker, Springfield, Janet Marie Frana, Springfield, Richard Alan Baker and his wife Mary, Lenexa, Kansas, Nancy Lou Sappington, Springfield; nine grandchildren, Jacob Sappington and his wife Davina, Shane Baker and his wife Abby, Matthew Baker and his wife Julie, Jessica Sappington, Joseph Frana and his wife Anne, Sarah Hurlburt and her husband Will, Laura Phillips and her husband Jordan, Kathryn Baker, Rebekah Sappington; six great-grandchildren Jamar Sappington, Olivia Baker, Avery Baker, Ella Phillips, Edna Frana, and D'Adrion McBride; and family friend Carolyn Stoner. Visitation will be Saturday, January 16, 2010 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Gorman-Scharpf Brentwood Chapel. Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, January 17, 2010 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, with Rev. Ellen Brantley officiating under the direction of Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home. Burial will be at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice Compassus or the Hardy and Betty Baker Scholarship, Missouri State University. A special thanks to Steven from Hardy.