John Kelly Baker, husband, father, brother, and grandfather passed away from heart failure in his home in Mapleton, Utah on April 28, 2024 at the age of 64. Kelly was born November 12, 1959 in Provo, Utah to Kay Lewis Baker and Carol Genevieve Hansen Baker.
While born in Utah, Kelly grew up in Sunnyvale, California when the neighborhood still had some surrounding orchards. He graduated from Peterson High School in 1977, where he played on the basketball and tennis teams. He served an LDS mission from 1979 to1981 in Guayaquil, Ecuador. After graduating from BYU in 1984 with a bachelor’s degree in English, he was accepted into BYU’s Law school and MBA programs, but decided he wanted to further his education on his own.
He taught himself several different programming languages and computing systems, which led him to become a successful enterprise and data architect. He worked for IBM for 20 years, which allowed him opportunities to work in France, Australia, and Denmark, and all over the U.S. doing data migrations. He was part of a team at IBM that designed a system and method for information technology migration. This team was awarded four patents that he was very proud of. He was also honored with three achievement awards during his time at IBM. He was currently employed at Castell, a division of Intermountain Health, as a Senior Data Architect
Kelly was always known for his clever wit, tender heart, peacemaking skills, and dislike for contention. That said, he always enjoyed a good debate and would often inject comments for the fun of ruffling a few feathers. He loved his family and always held a special place in his mother’s heart before she passed away.
Kelly is survived by his loving wife Tracy Jeffers Padgett (married December 7, 2019); his children Jessica Baker, Taylor (Roy) Barlow, and Aaron (Ellie) Baker through his former wife, Judith Baker; his stepchildren Greg (Kaylin) Padgett, Danielle (Kade) Carlson, and Nicole Padgett; his siblings Carl (Kathy) Baker, Kathy (Greg Lee), Karen (Gary-passed away) Sumner, Craig (Lynne) Baker, and Kenneth (Denise) Baker; and his grandchildren Call Barlow, Emery Barlow, Aspen Carlson, Millie Carlson, Kenzie Padgett, Jordan Padgett, Michael Padgett, and David Padgett.
Kelly was preceded in death by his parents Kay and Carol Baker, and his grandsons, James Kay Barlow and Roy Henry Barlow.
Kelly had a private family burial prior to the funeral service, at the Provo Cemetery.
Special thanks to Spring Creek Mortuary for funeral services (385-325-3131). The family would like to express their gratitude for the tremendous outpouring of love and concern!
