WORLD WAR II, KOREA, VIETNAM

EDWIN C. BAQUET
Edwin C. Baquet was a good man. He was a good husband who loved his wife Oresa for over 65 years. Even after she was gone we knew he would love her forever. He was a good father. We, his children, could not have been blessed with a better Dad. He loved us unconditionally and we always knew we could count on him no matter what. He was a good grandfather, too. All of his grandkids loved him beyond measure. They knew he was the glue that held the family together, and that they would be in his loving care all the days of his life. He was a good neighbor, who never hesitated to offer a helping hand. Whether it was to bring in the mail and newspapers, feed the dogs or fix a problem, he was quick to offer a helping hand. He was a good citizen. He always voted and he didn't hesitate to let "city hall" know if there should be a visible stop sign at the post office or if there was a dangerous shrub that needed cutting down because it was blocking the line of sight for cross traffic. He was a good member of the community. Ed belonged to two organizations which meant the world to him, the Order of Daedalians and the P-38 National Association. He participated eagerly in both until his health got in the way - which annoyed him beyond words. Yet, even when it was a challenge, he managed to make it to the monthly meetings of both organizations and lend a hand where he could. And he was a good patriot. Ed loved his time in the Air Force as a fighter pilot and would have stayed in forever if they would have let him. He took great pride in being a decorated, 50-mission pilot in the 49th Fighter Squadron during WWII and as a combat pilot during the Korean Conflict. When he grudgingly had to leave the service after 20 years, he quickly tried to find another job "on base" - which he ultimately did as a Safety Officer at March Air Force Base, where he stayed another 20 years or so. One got the impression he wouldn't have retired then either had it not been for Oresa letting him know it was time to stay home and spend a little leisure time with her. Of course, that didn't really slow him down much. Even after retiring he remained very active and took tremendous pride in keeping their home in "tip top" shape. When his health got in the way of that, he still managed to putter around the house and garden, doing what he could, right up until the end. We kiddingly said that because our Mother loved Christmas so much, he decided to give her the best gift of all this year - himself. So he left us and joined her on Christmas day. Yes, Ed Baquet was a good man. He was loved and respected by all of those who knew him, and we're absolutely certain if you look up the word "integrity" in the dictionary you'd find a picture of Ed Baquet. Those of us left behind, who loved him so, so dearly, will feel his absence every single day of our lives. Safe journey, Dad, and don't worry, Mom's got your six. Visitation will be on Wednesday, January 2, between 4:00-7:00 PM at Acheson-Graham Garden of Prayer Mortuary, 7944 Magnolia Avenue, Riverside. Interment at Riverside National Cemetery will be private. Ed is survived by his three children (Carole, Kelly and Kevin), six grandchildren (April, Dexter, Brian, Julie, Nathan and Tomica) and four great grandchildren as well as his sister, Annie Doerr and her family and his niece, Robin, and nephew, John, who Ed was proud to be able to say is currently serving in the US Air Force. Donations may be made in lieu of flowers to the P-38 National Association, PO Box 6453, March ARB, CA 92518

Published in the Press-Enterprise on 1/1/2008.