Patterson’s New Father-in-Law Dies Shortly After Ceremony

William George Baker, whose daughter had just married former Democratic Rep. Jerry M. Patterson, died of a massive heart attack shortly after the wedding, relatives said Monday.

Baker, 73, of Monterey Park, suffered the attack Sunday in the parking lot of the Seacliff Country Club in Huntington Beach, where a wedding reception for his daughter and Patterson had been scheduled.

Earlier that day, Baker’s daughter, the former Linda Moulton, and Patterson were married in the Community Methodist Church in Huntington Beach.

Several doctors who had attended the marriage ceremony and paramedics attempted to revive Baker and succeeded in getting a pulse, according to Linda Patterson.

Baker was rushed to Pacifica Community Hospital in Huntington Beach where he was later pronounced dead.

Baker was a retired office manager for Signal Trucking Co., in Los Angeles, where he was employed for 37 years.

Born in Davenport, Iowa, Baker moved to California in the 1930s. He had recently celebrated his 49th wedding anniversary.

Survivors include his widow, Ethel of Monterey Park; daughters, Linda of Huntington Beach and Jeanne Baker of Livermore, and three grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at the Hillside Chapel at Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier, 10 a.m. Wednesday. A brief graveside service will follow.

The family requests that donations be made to the American Heart Assn.

Patterson, who was defeated by Rep. Robert K. Dornan (R-Garden Grove) in 1982, had served five terms in Congress.