Clay Baker, 60, of Desert Hot Springs passed unexpectedly on September 20th, 2022 of cardiac arrest at his home. We are devastated by this loss and were completely unprepared.

Born on April 24, 1962, Clayton Dean Baker was adopted by loving parents and immediately filled the lives of those around him with joy.  

Clay and his sister Kirsten and their parents Sally and Bill Baker began yearly visits to Camp Bluff Lake when Clay was only two years old. There he and his family made lifetime friends whom he looked forward to seeing year after year for the next two decades. You could write a book about Clay's notorious adventures at Camp Bluff Lake.

The Baker family also took regular trips to the High Sierras to camp, fish, and be together in the majesty of our dear mountains and skies of stars. 

Clay graduated from Arroyo High School Class of 1980. After High School, he graduated from Glendale Community College with a BA in Biology.

A member of SEG (Screen Extras Guild) Clay had some fun, early work experiences on the sets of well-known TV shows and movies.  

Clay had many good years with his first partner, Philip, living in West Hollywood.  When Philip passed, he succeeded in carrying forth in good stead with Phillip's healthcare insurance business, LifeStyles Insurance Services from 1990 to 2008. During those years Clay became interested in nursing.

Clay was dedicated to helping those in need: disabled, disadvantaged, and especially those whose voices have been silenced leaving them without agency. From his diligent work helping LGBTQ+ businesses and individuals obtain affordable healthcare coverage during the AIDS epidemic, to his student project researching the trauma involved with intubation (once a nearly ubiquitous procedure for in-patient surgery cases but now considered a last resort measure), to his advocacy and compassion for the tenants that he served as manager of more than a dozen single-family properties, Clay has always fought to ease peoples' suffering and defend those whose rights or wellbeing are threatened.

In pursuit of his service to the ill and injured, Clay obtained his Bachelor of Science, Nursing (BSN), Minor in Psychology, from Cal State San Bernardino, Palm Desert, graduating top of his class with High Honors in 2011. Member of Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society of Nursing. With innate compassion, impeccability, and an unfailing sense of humor, Clay was a natural.

Clay is predeceased by his parents by adoption Sally and Bill Baker, his biological parents, and three of his partners: Phillip, Richard, and Christopher.  

He is survived by his sister Kirsten Baker, and his biological siblings Stacy, Tracy, Trina and Rick, as well as his recent partner Brown Miller, and many dear friends.

A celebration of Clay's life was held by Brown Miller and Kirsten Baker at Clay's house in Desert Hot Springs in November 2022. 

Please visit the memorial website at https://everloved.com/life-of… to share memories, stories, photos, videos, etc. of Clay or his friends and family.  A lot of people that knew Clay don't know each other, and the Clay that I knew is far different than the Clay someone else knew.  I think we all have something to gain by connecting and sharing our experiences with this complex and multifaceted man. 

Clay, we all love you so much. There was never enough time to spend together, you left us far too soon.

Peace & Love to you for all eternity!

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