Earl V Baker

Earl Vincent Baker, 74, of Omaha, passed away surrounded by his loving family on December 26, 2025.

Born January 16, 1951, in Omaha, Earl was a proud son of South Omaha—“God’s Country,” as he affectionately called it. A lifelong devout Catholic, he attended Our Lady of Lourdes Elementary School and Archbishop Ryan High School, where he excelled in wrestling and football. He continued his athletic career at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, turning down a professional bowling opportunity to play football for the Mavericks.

Earl proudly served his country in the U.S. Army Reserves as a Military Policeman during the Vietnam era.

After college, he began a distinguished 46-year career in the elevator industry, rising from skilled mechanic to Business Manager of Local 28 of the International Union of Elevator Constructors. In that role, he championed worker safety and played a pivotal role in the passage of Nebraska’s Conveyance Safety Act (LB 489). Later, as Area Coordinator for the National Elevator Industry Educational Program (NEIEP), he advanced apprenticeship standards and secured college credit recognition for elevator coursework at UNO.

A respected leader, Earl served on many local and national level committees, including the ASME A17 Standards Committee, and was inducted into the Nebraska State AFL-CIO Labor Leaders Hall of Fame in 2013.

Earl also volunteered extensively as a youth baseball coach at Grover Little League and supported many community and labor causes. Above all, Earl was a devoted family man.

In 1973, he married his beloved wife, Diane, and together they raised two children, Matt and Lisa. He found boundless joy in his granddaughters, Mia and Ruby, who brought out both his playful and tender sides.

Earl is survived by his devoted wife of 52 years, Diane Baker; his son, Matt Baker (Leah); his daughter, Lisa Wells (Dave); his beloved granddaughters, Mia Baker and Ruby Baker; his sister, Mary Rose Hall (Phil); his nephew, Vincent Luciano; his niece, Amy Chaney; and a host of cherished friends and colleagues. He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl Baker Sr. and Elizabeth Baker.

Earl was a man of few words, endless action, and boundless love—forever our champion. From God’s Country to Eternity: A Life Well Lived.