Melvin Keith Baker, 44, Gage, OK died Sunday, August 25th 2019 in an Anadarko, OK hospital.

Melvin was born February 24th 1975 in Dumas, Texas the son of Jimmy and Teresa (Brooks) Baker. Melvin was raised in Oklahoma until 1986 when the family moved to North Dakota. He attended grade school in Arnett, OK then Mohall, ND. Melvin would graduate from Mohall High School in 1994 and continue his education in Bismarck, ND at Bismarck State College.

Melvin moved back to Oklahoma after his first year of college. He took a job as a welder where he would be certified in various forms of welding. This was his passion and what he would focus his career on. Melvin spent many years in the oil field, pipe line welding and building coils for hot oil trucks.

Big Mel was very strong. The grip strength of 3 men and he loved to prove it. He could drop you to a knee with a hand shake and he never would backdown from an arm-wrestling challenge. If you weren't careful when he sat down next to you, you would soon suffer a squeeze on the knee that would make you jump right off the couch.

Melvin loved to cook, he would often call his siblings to talk about the meals he had just made, describing them like they were an artist's master piece. Slow grilling a beef brisket and hanging out visiting with friends and family is where Melvin loved to be. Telling stories and laughing, didn't matter the topic he would jump right in the conversation and add one of his cheesy "one liner" jokes whether it was appropriate or not. Some things are just "So Melvin" it's what we grew to expect and love about him.

In his last years Melvin battled a plethora of medical issues. Addiction would lead him through some dark years eventually leading to a 3-year battle with kidney failure. In these last months, Melvin was winning. His health was the best it had been in years and his attitude was very positive. Clean and healthy and making plans to move home.

Melvin is survived by his father Earl James (Jimmy) Baker Sr., siblings Tracie (Gabe) Thompson, Antler, ND, Stacey (Trent) Johnson, Mohall, ND and James (Jess) Baker, Minot, ND; nine nieces and nephews, Wyatt (Alison) Thompson, Colten (Taylor Best) Haider, Talon (Alexis Heinle), and Jaime Thompson, Deacon and Drayson Johnson and Calvin, Griffin and Halle Baker; along with numerous Aunts, Uncles, and cousins.

Celebration of Melvin's Life: 5:00 pm Wednesday, September 4th, 2019 at the Antler Crick.