Donald Lee Baker, 59, died Jan. 18, 2016, in an airplane accident with his wife, Dawn Hunter-Baker, while returning from a conference in Deer Valley, Utah.
Mr. Baker moved to Tucson 30 years ago. He was raised in Venice Beach, Calif. He was the co-owner of Larsen Baker LLC, a real estate development firm he co-founded in Arizona in 1992 with partner George Larsen. Mr. Baker served as a longtime member of the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona’s board and executive committee. He also championed the construction of the Tucson Hebrew Academy, sharing his passion for building and education. He recently earned his master’s degree in real estate development at the University of Arizona, exemplifying his love for learning and growing.
Mr. Baker was preceded in death by his father, Joey Baker. Survivors include his mother, Millie Baker; children, Lindsey and Josh; siblings, Jan and Norman; and ex-wife and friend, Shelley Pozez, along with other members of the Pozez and Lubin families.
A memorial service for Mr. Baker and Ms. Hunter-Baker will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 22 at the Tucson Jewish Community Center. Memorial donations may be made to the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona or Tucson Hebrew Academy. Arrangements were made by Evergreen Mortuary.
