Marilynn Reeson Baker clearly made the most of her 91 years. A tireless volunteer and a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, she touched all she knew with her generosity, cheer, and talent.
As part of her higher education, Marilynn Baker spent two years (1941-1942) at The University of Tulsa, where she majored in business administration. She had planned to continue her education at the University of Colorado, but then she met Paul Baker, a young optometrist, and she chose love and marriage instead. The couple wed Nov. 21, 1942, and moved to Claremore, where he set up practice.
Paul and Marilynn Baker reared two daughters, Revelle and Deborah, and a son, Ben. And while Dr. Baker grew his practice, Marilynn Baker put her business training to use leading many community organizations. She was a charter member and president of Book Club, Tuesday Study Club, Friends of the Library, Aladdin Club, Ocheleta Club, and the Claremore Hospital Auxiliary. Because of her fine reputation, Governor David Boren appointed Marilynn to the J.M. Davis Memorial Commission. She also pursued a wide array of hobbies, such as golf, tennis, bridge, stained glassmaking, and the study of Native American culture.
Marilynn Baker never forgot her days at TU, and she continued to cherish her memories of dear friends and quality instruction in her classes. In 2010, Mrs. Baker’s son, Dr. Ben F. Baker, honored his mother and her love for The University of Tulsa with The Marilynn Reeson Baker Endowed Scholarship in Law. The recipients of this generous gift are known as Marilynn R. Baker Scholars. No doubt the choice of the College of Law had special meaning to both of them. When the scholarship was established, Ben’s daughter, Meredith, was just a year away from obtaining her juris doctor.
Mrs. Baker passed away on July 2, 2013. This generous gift is now a remembrance of a former TU student and lifelong friend of the university. The University of Tulsa, its College of Law, and the recipients of the Marilynn Reeson Baker Scholarships are all grateful for this important assistance, which assures law students will be able to complete their degrees and begin fulfilling careers.
