Tamra Baker

Tamra Llynn Hamling Baker passed away July 17, 2021, due to heart failure.  Tamra was born November 1, 1957, in Calgary, Canada, to Donald and Merlene Hamling.  As a small child Tamra lived in Australia and in Toronto, Canada, but she spent most of her formative years in Salt Lake City, Utah. In 1976 she graduated from Cottonwood High School in Salt Lake City. As a high schooler, she participated in drill team, which sparked her love for dance.  She also enjoyed performing in high school musical theater productions. Tamra served an honorable mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Italy Padova Mission. She attended Brigham Young University, graduated with a bachelor's degree in educational psychology, and taught special education in elementary schools in Orem, Utah.  While attending BYU, she excelled at ballroom dancing and toured and competed in Europe with the BYU team.  Also at BYU, she fell in love with Rod Baker; they were married in 1982.

Tami lived the past 23 years with Rod in Cedar Crest, New Mexico, raising their four children.  Tami frequently served her church in various capacities, including teaching early morning bible study to high schoolers, acting as choir director, and teaching the Gospel to young children. Tami volunteered in her children's schools teaching singing and dance.  She was an avid gardener. Tami would get up before the sun to water her precious garden and would always share her bounty. She was a talented crafter, enjoyed scrapbooking, and created elaborate baby books for her children. Her smile was biggest when she was watching children sing and dance, especially family videos of her daughters.  Even as her many health trials since 2016 challenged her capacities, she was a fighter who never stopped trying new things and continuing to care for those around her. Tami’s ultimate love was for her Heavenly Father. She knew that He loved her and that, despite her weakening body, He was guiding her to happiness.  She had a deep love and faith for Christ and looked to His example to guide her life.

Tamra is survived by her husband Rod D. Baker of Cedar Crest, NM; her four children and their spouses, Weston and Crystle Baker, Shalisa and Barry Thornburg, Kari Baker, Melanie Baker-Pratt and Jeremiah Pratt; grandchildren, Cole Baker, Cailee Baker, Theodore Thornburg, Montgomery Thornburg, Kenyon Titman, Presley Baker, Melodi Pratt, Autumn Pratt, and Darcy-Rose Pratt; her brother Michael Hamling and his wife Jeanne and their children; and her brother Jon Hamling. All of these she loved deeply. She was preceded in death by her mother Merlene Roberts Hamling, her father Donald Hamling, and her sister Jana Hamling.

A viewing will be held July 26, 2021, at Cannon Mortuary, 2460 Bengal Blvd., Cottonwood Heights, UT, from 6:00-8:00 pm.  At 10:00am July 27, 2021, Tamra will be buried at Elysian Burial Gardens, 1075 E. 4580 South, Millcreek, UT.