Wife Pleads in Letter to the Editor for Community to Help Find Her Husband

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John Baker and wife

John Baker pictured with his wife

Dear Editor:

I am writing to see if you can help me find my husband, John Baker, who was last seen getting gas in the town of Piercy on August 8, 2019. My last contact with him was August 8.

John has white hair, blue eyes, is tall (6’3), is handsome, lanky and has a slight limp with his left leg. He recently lost his upper left tooth – but he didn’t seem to care about it. He refuses to believe he needs his hearing aids, so if you do find him – please speak loudly 😊. We’ve been married almost 4 years, and he still can make me laugh.

He was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s about a year ago, and for the last few months his memory loss has worsened. While he still was an excellent driver and frequently drove from Lancaster to Oregon – a route he knew so well – he was not familiar with the 101 and the 1 – north of San Francisco. This is where we believe he lost his way. His last card transaction was in Piercy at the Cooks Valley Union Gas Station, and there were 2 call-ins for possible sightings in Arcata and north of Arcata on Monday 8/12.

John was very happy with life, and when we last spoke on Aug 8, he told me that he loved me and that he would be coming home when he got ‘out of the trees and found the freeway’.

John drives a 2017 burgundy Lincoln sedan – unfortunately no GPS tracking is in his car. He also only has a flip phone – again, no GPS.

If you have any information, please contact Detective Matthew Perieda – 323-574-4506.

I’m desperate to have my husband back with me. I’d appreciate any help.

Thank you for your help –

Dorothy Solberg

Earlier Chapter: Missing Man Last Known to Be at Piercy Area Gas Station

Note: an earlier version incorrectly the date John Baker purchased gas in the Cooks Valley/Piercy gas station.

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32 Comments
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Please help
Guest
Please help
4 years ago

Why isn’t the same massive response for the lost hiker last week happening in this case?

Seek and ye shall find
Guest
Seek and ye shall find
4 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

Helicopter was instrumental in the recovery of the hiker. It spotted a backpack that turned out to be his that led to his location. Yes I agree the search area is much larger for Mr. Baker. It is also much easier to access. It does seem like some agency could or should organise some kind of search.
Additional details would be helpful. Previous card use might suggest direction of travel. Time of day he was in Piercy. Where did he typically overnight? Would he have used his card for lodging? Meals?
Sounds like he is within a tank of gas from Piercy.
License plate is worth repeating.
7YFD 932. Burgundy Lincoln 2017 Sedan.

Emerald
Guest
Emerald
4 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

Get a drone up. Ghawk Drone is 1 example. It may be able to find him.

ambrose bierce
Guest
ambrose bierce
4 years ago
Reply to  Please help

[Edit: Sorry. I’ll shut them down]

lauracooskey
Guest
lauracooskey
4 years ago
Reply to  ambrose bierce

Too soon. While there may be some merit to advice to stay clear-headed, alert, and let “nature’s high” carry you along while enjoying the wilderness, especially steep and treacherous mountains, in this context your little rant is unnecessary, cruel, and irrelevant. “Lungs scarred from hemp abuse”–what are you even talking about, and how would that affect whatever killed him? Just stop, please. “Smoking doobies”–wow, you never did that while enjoying the wild? You really ought to.

Sparkelmahn
Guest
Sparkelmahn
4 years ago
Reply to  lauracooskey

Hemp really is hard on the lungs, especially compared to cannabis sativa or indica. I coughed my brains out the first time I vaped it.

LotteryLoser
Guest
LotteryLoser
4 years ago
Reply to  ambrose bierce

Ambrose –

What would it take for you to understand the pain & anguish your unfounded accusations & ignorant comments have caused to the loved ones of a GREAT man who perished FAR too young?

THINK before you speak. Because karma is a BITCH.

Much love to Daniel’s family, and ESPECIALLY to Carlie. He was a true hero, and he will always be remembered. Your pain must be unbearable. My heart goes out to you all in this time of loss & grief. I hope you all can take some solace in that he died doing what he loved, he was found, and he clearly loved you all.

Also, Kym – please do update this particular story, I would personally spend time & miles searching for John, if I knew where to focus efforts. Not a religious person, but still praying for John to be found & returned home to Dorothy.

What can we do to help, beyond keeping eyes on the lookout?

Really?
Guest
Really?
4 years ago
Reply to  ambrose bierce

It is not your place or responsibility to post this information whether true or not. This is not ok. Kym needs to remove this information. How can you not see how inappropriate it is to post this. Think of the family for gawds sake.

Really?
Guest
Really?
4 years ago
Reply to  ambrose bierce

So inappropriate Ambrose. What is wrong with you?

T
Guest
T
4 years ago
Reply to  ambrose bierce

Where did you get your information? It doesn’t seem that there are any articles that back up your statements.

Upset
Guest
Upset
4 years ago
Reply to  ambrose bierce

Can you please share where you got your information? There doesn’t seem to be any articles that back up the insensitive things you have said.

Really?
Guest
Really?
4 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

Thank you. I am amazed at what some people will post. Do they think it’s funny? Such hurtful and hateful comments.

Sparkelmahn
Guest
Sparkelmahn
4 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

Glad I didn’t have to read that crap. Thanks.

Yeah,sure
Guest
Yeah,sure
4 years ago
Reply to  Upset

It’s a troll. Doing stupid troll things. The immaturity level is astounding. Same troll is on loco. This particular troll lacks any empathy. It’s sad and pathetic. Pretty hard to understand the motivation behind being like this, like does he chuckle to himself as he’s typing it out? SMH

Humboldt Lady
Guest
Humboldt Lady
4 years ago

Heartbreaking. I hope that he is found safe and can return to you. Blessings to you both.

a neighbor
Guest
a neighbor
4 years ago

Many blessings Dorothy! I hope your husband is found safe. we’ll keep our eyes open.

Missing Humboldt
Guest
Missing Humboldt
4 years ago

I would have to agree that the search for this beloved husband, friend and father should be a priority search and starting from Peircy, he would be less than a full tank away. There are many steep winding roads from 101 to 271 to 1 which he may have taken. Push forward and look for any signs of tire marks leaving roadway. I pray he is found, unfortunately he has probably perished. To his wife, I’m so sorry for what you are going through. You must love him so much and don’t give up hope, and find help with the search. It will probably take a helicopter to locate car if he went off the road. Wish I could help with the search.

Charlie
Guest
Charlie
4 years ago

A photo of the car would be useful along with the license number.

Liz
Guest
Liz
4 years ago

I like the idea of finding where his gas stop was before Piercy. From Piercy a person is going into the trees (north) or heading out of the trees (south). Previous article said he was going to see the trees and then head home. This one has him looking away from the trees and looking for the freeway which is just around the corner.

I’m sure the CHP has a BOLO for his car. I hope Dorothy has also contacted the radio stations as many folks do not have TVs and listen to radio for news. If they do have TV by satilite the “local news” is from the bay area. I hope someone will help Dorothy with a poster easy to print out and share.

My guess he was sleeping in his car or he would have used his credit/debit card.

Being diagnosed with Alzheimer is not an easy task. Only a nurolgest can make that diagnoses after testing. Dementia can be diagnosed by a family doctor. (My sister can not remember who visited yesterday but her doctor can’t call it Alzheimer.) Alzheimer diagnoses has legal consequences including taking keys away and never being left alone. A nurolgest would have explained that to his caregivers. My sister’s doctor expalined all of this to her family members.

Bill
Guest
Bill
4 years ago

Sending extreme positive energy to all involved that John will be found.

Memi
Guest
Memi
4 years ago

Contact EPD they have the cameras on the stoplights that record every license plate that goes past.
If he went north his license plate will be in that database.
Best of luck!
Hoping he’s found alive&well very soon.

Just Saying
Guest
Just Saying
4 years ago

He was “last seen” in Piercy. So there’s a witness who might know if he left the gas station. Cameras at the station? Video? Did he use a credit card? So strange. I probably wouldn’t have let my dad do this trip alone. Hope he is found soon.

Joe
Guest
Joe
4 years ago

Best of luck finding your loved one. I hope it happens soon!

Bozo
Guest
Bozo
4 years ago

Unless he had an ample supply of cash… use of his credit card will leave a trail.

Xoxo
Guest
Xoxo
4 years ago

Keeping an eye out for your husband mam

Susan Langford
Guest
Susan Langford
4 years ago

Have they found this missing person yet? I posted the article in Fort Bragg.

The Royce family
Guest
The Royce family
4 years ago

John Baker has been found, unfortunately, not good news. Dorothy just got the call and out of respect, we are not contacting her tonight. As of now, we have no details, we are just focused on Dorothy. Thank you all for your concern, suggestions and efforts to find John. He was a good man with a hideous disease that is not completely understood. Any rules for how to handle one person cannot apply to another as the progression of the disease is so individual. Your thoughts and prayers are appreciated.