Denby Joe Baker, age 45 of Indianapolis, Indiana originally from Flora, Illinois passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his loving wife and friends on June 3, 2025.
Denby or as everyone knew him, DJ, was born on May 21, 1980, in Olney, Illinois. He married Carla Matlock on June 6, 2020.
DJ worked at Citation Oil & Gas at the same field location for 20 years; owned by 4 different companies within that time frame. He resigned in May 2020 due to his condition worsening from Lou Gehrig’s Disease / ALS. Denby was a Volunteer Fireman and First Responder for Clay City, Illinois for 10+ years. He took great pride in that, with being the people person he was and wanting to help others. He made his way onto the Clay City Fire District Board. He truly enjoyed serving the public and community. He was a Mason with the Anthony Doherty Lodge #1111 since September 2010.
If you knew DJ, you’d know he had a huge passion for muscle cars. Anything that had a motor and wheels, really. His knowledge about anything automotive was second to none. He always owned something that would do a burnout, and he was known for making clouds. He enjoyed attending Mecum Auctions. His immense knowledge about anything and everything was uncanny. There wasn’t anything he couldn’t fix. He was diagnosed with ALS on April 29, 2020, and it didn’t slow him down any, even when he lost the use of his arms and hands. He had a gift for finding ANYTHING anybody needed or wanted.
Denby is survived by his wife Carla Mae of 5 years of Indianapolis; daughter, Takisha Baker of Kinmundy; step-daughter, Emily Campbell and husband Gregory Campbell of Pendleton; step-son Connor of Indianapolis; grandchildren, Kinsley Jo Weston, Case Eugene Weston, Augustus Timmons Campbell, Alice Ophelia Campbell, Milena Harlow Campbell, Kallie Tulip Marie; father-in-law, Bud Matlock, mother, Rhonda Sullens; sister, Kia Baker Preceding him in death; father, Larry Joe Baker, grandfather, Johnnie Cox, and mother-in-law, Donna Matlock.
A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 5, 2025, at Frank and Bright Funeral Home in Flora, with Bryce Henry officiating. Masonic rites will be conducted at 11:30 a.m. A memorial visitation will be held from 12 noon to 2 p.m. on Saturday at the funeral home. Memorial donations are suggested to Rosie’s Southside Animal Shelter in Indianapolis, Indiana, and these will be accepted though the funeral home. To share a condolence or memory, visit: www.frankandbright.com
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