Richard Earl Baker

Richard Earl ‘Dick’ Baker, age 81, of Mount Airy, Maryland, died Friday, January 8, 2016 of natural causes. He was born April 1934 in Charleston, West Virginia. He was the son of the late Elizabeth Campbell Baker. Dick graduated from Baltimore Polytechnic Institute in 1952. He began his lifelong career with C&P Telephone Company in 1952 as Lineman and retired as Manager Agreements in December 1989. Dick was an avid member of Baltimore Colts Corral #21 for many years. He was active in organizing and participating in many fundraisers, rallies, parades and many group trips on the “Party Bus.” Many dear friends from this time predeceased him. Dick loved Mount Airy and became a lifetime member of American Legion Gold Star Post 191 with 32 years of continuous membership. He worked the Legion Bingo program for many years and later served as chairman of Bingo. He also served on the Executive Committee for many years, The Mount Airy Senior Center was another of Dick’s loves as was the 55+ club. There were many events and trips, including the Mystery Trips, which were his favorite. Traveling with groups and friends was one of his favorite things to do. Dick and Betty’s refrigerator is covered on all three sides with magnets they collected from each trip. Dick was prolific giver to different charities (St. Jude, Veterans with Disabilities, etc.) as well as local organizations. He would sell quilt raffle tickets for the Senior Center, support Kiwanis Pancake Breakfasts, Winfield Fire Hall Spaghetti Dinners, and many local church events. He will be greatly missed by all of his family, and the many lives he touched during his time in his beloved Mount Airy community. Donations to the Alzheimer’s Association, 1850 York Road, Ste. D, Timonium, MD 21093 are encouraged in lieu of flowers. Surviving is Betty Baker, his devoted wife of 62 years. Daughters Deborah Ann Griffith, Diana Joyce Baker, Donna Jean Vincent and Dawn Lynn Purtell. He was predeceased by children Richard Earl Baker II and Denise Louise Davidson. Also surviving are grandchildren Scott Thomas Davidson, Jr, Leigh Ann Topper, Richard Joseph Topper, Emma Leigh Purtell, Phillip Joseph Vincent, III, Kayla Marie Davidson, Grace Hope Vincent and great grandchildren Daisy Leigh Reynolds and Devin Joseph Malone. All of his siblings William Baker, Edward Baker and Honey Levin predeceased him. A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, January 31, 1:00 pm at Jeffery N. Zumbrun Funeral Home, 6028 Sykesville Road, Eldersburg, MD 21784. The family will receive friends from 11AM till time of service at the funeral home. Interment will be private. Online condolences may be made at www.jnzumbrunfuneralhome.com

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