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Ralph Baker Obituary
Age 79, of Townsend, DE, and Earlville, MD, passed away peacefully on March 13, 2011, at the Union Hospital, Elkton, MD surrounded by his loving family.
Ralph was the C.E.O. and owner of Baker Safety Equipment Inc. and the inventor of the Baker Life Chute. He was also C.E.O. and owner of Baker Petroleum Transportation Co. Inc. Ralph was a member of St. John's Lodge #2, The Consistory,Tall Cedars of Lebanon, Nur Temple Shrine, Nur Temple Yacht Club and the Royal Order of Jesters #164 where he served as Past Director. He was also Past President of the Delaware Motor Trucking Assn.
Ralph was an avid Indy 500 and NASCAR Race Fan. He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. He enjoyed flying planes out of his father's air field, "Baker Field" (Summit Aviation today) in Middletown, DE. He also served on the Delaware Emergency Response Commission for 10 years. Ralph will be sadly missed by his family, many friends, associates and his dogs Candi and Teddy.
He was preceded in death by his father, Franklin B. Baker Sr. and his mother, Feryn I. (Thompson) Baker and his brothers, Franklin B. Baker Jr. (Leota) and James M. Baker. Ralph is survived by his wife, Joni (Wallace) Baker; his son, Mark Baker (Sharon); his daughter, Dawn (Baker) Nutter; the mother of his children, Lois Baker, 4 granddaughters, 1 grandson, 4 great-grand daughters, 1 great-grandson and numerous nieces and nephews.
A viewing will be held on Friday, March 18, from 6-8 pm, at the MCCRERY & HARRA FUNERAL HOME, 3710 Kirkwood Highway, Wilm., DE 19808 where a Masonic service will be at 7:30 pm. Funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 19, at 9:30 am, at the Zion U.M. Church, 168 W. Main Street Cecilton, MD 21913 where friends may call after 8:30 am. The interment will be in Gracelawn Memorial Park, New Castle, DE. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Zion U.M. Church in memory of Ralph.
To send condolences visit:
www.mccreryandharra.com
302-478-2204
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Memories and Condolences
for Ralph Baker
Sponsored by anonymous.
Frank Hensley
March 10, 2022
I met Ralph Baker in 1970 while on leave from the US Army. Jim was my Stepfather. Ralph & Jim were working hard to get the Baker Petroleum Transportation Co. into new trucks and finishing the new truck-wash co-located with their maintenance building. Being a Master Mason myself, I knew who Ralph was - a good man. He lived a good life and will always be remembered.
I still have James "Jim" Baker's Military Funeral Flag that belongs to his Baker Family. I will protect it until one of his family asks for me to send it to them.
( [email protected] if one of Jim's family wants his flag )
Gerry Tandberg
March 2, 2014
Ralph was such a great guy and generous to a fault. I'll never forget how he would greet complete strangers and make them feel completely at ease. The word shy was not in his vocabulary and kindness was his hallmark. I know he could be tough, but I never saw that side of him. He had such a gentle and friendly demeanor. I can only imagine Mark and Dawn's loss. I'm going to miss him too.
Jonathan Lake
March 1, 2014
Ralph T. Baker will never leave my mind. Here is to you buddy on March 6th and every day..
Frank Hensley
February 28, 2014
I am very sorry to just find out about your loss. Ralph was a good man in many ways. I was trying to find Ralph to offer him his brother Jim's Flag. It was passed down to me after my mother, Jim's wife passed away. If there are any relatives of James M. Baker who would appreciate his burial flag, I will gladly ship it to them. I know that both Ralph and Jim are together with our Heavenly Father. If there are race cars in Heaven, both will be there to build, drive or tinker. My email is: [email protected]
January 11, 2013
Lets all remember Raplh T. Baker on his Birthday every year..Miss him so very much as a good friend and life advisor.
Jonathan David Lake
January 9, 2013
I don't know if you will get this or not--Lois, Mark or Dawn. But I used to live directly across the street from you on Landers Lane. I was your babysitter. And my name then was Gladys Hamm. I now live in Oregon and changed my name (if your name was Gladys, wouldn't you change it? LOL) I would so love to be in touch with any or all of you again. You meant so much to me as a young woman. I loved you all so much. If you should get this, my e-mail address is: [email protected]. I am also on Facebook as Susan Goldner.
chris kissell
August 16, 2011
Ralph was a great friend.
Chris Kissell
Leslie Apple
April 25, 2011
Joni,
I was so saddened to read of Ralph's passing. Though we never met, I know how deep your love was for him and how much he meant to you. I'm so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Please accept my deepest sympathy.
Gerry Tandberg
March 30, 2011
Sonnie and I were very sad to hear of Ralph death on March 13, 2011. Our condolences and prayers go out to Joni, Mark, Dawn, all his grandchildren, and friends. I’m especially going to miss the twice annual phone calls we had. He was truly a wonderful and genuine friend for the eight short years we knew each other. I’ll try and post some pictures of Ralph taken on a few jobs we worked on that I think the family will appreciate.
We are going to miss you buddy.
Best Regards in Christ,
Gerry and Sonnie Tandberg
March 27, 2011
Joni,
I am so sorry for your loss, my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Karen Hammond
Stacy Heller
March 22, 2011
Joni,
My thoughts and prayers are with you now and always. You are the best friend anyone can have and Ralph was so lucky to have you as a part of his life.
I hope you will turn to your friends, and there are plenty of them, when you need us.
Much love,
Stacy
March 20, 2011
Ralph Baker inspired myself and many around the world to never give up and follow your passion.
When others said it could not be done
The Dream Ralph Baker helped me create, GreenTV
Jonathan David Lake
March 19, 2011
Ralph Baker inspired myself and many around the world to never give up and follow your passion.
When others said it could not be done
March 19, 2011
To my family I am very sorry for your loss and love you all very much!!
Margaret Rosado
March 19, 2011
You will be missed dearly. Thank you very much for always welcoming and making feel like I mattered even though it would be long periods of time between the times we would see each other. RIP
March 18, 2011
Dear Baker Family, We are so sorry for your loss. Joni, if there is anything at all you need, we are not far away. Your love for Ralph will live on always. Thinking of you with much love, Dave and Kathy Reed xoxo
Eileen Gates
March 18, 2011
Dear Dawn,
I didn't mean to omit you from our message to your family, there are so many things I wanted to say but we knew you are one of the great women in Ralph's life and we all know he loved you so much and was very proud of you.
Sincerely,
Eileen andJohn
March 18, 2011
Ralph was larger than life to me and I cannot believe he is really gone. Such a big presence. Family memories galore!!! No matter the time on his watch, if he need to offer a word of praise or encouragement ~ he did linger. He was also a positive influence on my sons. You know it is rare when a "grown up" takes the time to remember what is happening in kids lives (but he did.) We will miss you Ralph.
Danny, Kim, Justin & Jamie Amalfitano
Angela Mercado
March 18, 2011
The Baker Family,
We are very sorry for your loss. Thinking of you all and prayers for your families to get thru a difficult time!
Love,
Minker, Angie, Megan & Danielle Mercado
Pam Darrell
March 18, 2011
Mark , Sharon and Family,
I just wanted to say how sorry I am to hear of Ralph's passing. He always added a bright spot to the Bake Shoppe when he would come in for breakfast. He would always find someone he knew and share a story or two. There was nothing he loved to brag more about then his family. You have all been very blessed to have had this wonderful man as a Husband, Father, Grandfather....But most of all as a Friend.
March 18, 2011
Lois, Joanie,Mark,Sharon, Dawn, Mark II, Bridget and Chrissy and all the Girls:
We were so sorry for your loss, Ralph was a wonderful and highly respected man. Our hearts go out to the entire family but you wonderful memories to comfort you. Markie III loves his pop-pop-pop so much and this is so hard on him but he has all of you and his mom (Amber) to help him thru this. Joanie, we will see at Macy's when you return to work because if I have Markie with me he always makes sure to stop and see you for a hug and kiss.
With deepest sympathy,
Eileen Gates and John Noble
Fred Wilson
March 18, 2011
Dear Baker Family,
I am so sorry to hear of Ralph's passing. I am sorry to say I will not be able to attend his services. I am out of town in Florence, S.C. heading to Georgia.
As you know, Ralph and I were very close. I enjoyed working for Ralph at Baker Petroleum and Baker Safety. I also enjoyed all the times Ralph and I spent together traveling. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Donna Fanny (Ellis)
March 18, 2011
Dear Dawn, Mark, Lois, Joni and Grandchildren,
I am so sorry to hear that Ralph has Passed. Fred Wilson and I were just down to see Ralph two months ago. It was so good to see him again after all these years. He was a Wonderful Mentor for me as I worked for him at Baker Safety. He tought me how to be Professional. He will be Greatly and Sadly missed. My Prayers are with You All. I am so sorry I won't be able to attend the services do to being out of town in Florence, S.C
Donna Fanny and daughter Tracy Ellis-Godwin
True love never dies
March 18, 2011
Everlasting bond between father and son
March 18, 2011
Pop Pop and the girls.. Dana and Danielle
March 18, 2011
Pop Pop and Chrissy
March 18, 2011
Pop Pop and Bridget... "Bird"
March 18, 2011
Father and son
March 18, 2011
Pop pop pop, Mark III, and Rebecca Mae
March 18, 2011
Four generations of Amazing Baker Men
March 18, 2011
Pop Pop Pop and Mark III
March 18, 2011
Tim York
March 18, 2011
I spent 4 days a year with Ralph for the past 15 years. We shared many laughs, had many in depth conversations, and even shared a couple of tears. I looked forward every year to spending time with Ralph at Orr Moore Hunt Club. I would like to say that Ralph was my friend, I am a richer man for having shared this little time with him. I will alway remember this kind, gentle man.
My deepest condolences go to Mark and the rest of Ralphs familie.
marlene hare
March 17, 2011
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Ranee Zelano
March 17, 2011
Dawn, Danielle, Dana & Bridget: We were so sorry to hear about the loss of your father/grandfather. Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family during this very difficult time.... The Zelano Family - Greg, Ranee, Ashley, Brittany & Cassidy
March 17, 2011
To Joni, I hope you can recover from your loss and have a happy road ahead,I know it will be very difficult, but you are a strong woman
All my love
Doris
Doris Reese
March 17, 2011
No words can express how I feel, I know Jim is up there waiting for him, and o boy what trouble there will be now. I have to many memories to explain how I feel, Lois, Dawn, and Mark are more like family to me then just friends.
Sharon Baker
March 17, 2011
WOW! This is so hard to believe! A great man left this world. He was such a loving family man. i remember the job we did in new orleans at my first oil refinery and we had to all take a test to enter the refinery and dad grilled me for 2 hours on questions that would be on the test so i would understand and then he said just sit near mark and cheat...lol but when we got in there they sat everyone 2 seats apart ( i was in trouble and dad was scared,) after the test they told us who passed ...i did but i guess dad being scared for me he failed and had to take it again! lol . I can trully say he was like my real father not my father in law that is how made you feel. i will miss him alot but thank god for our beautiful memories of him. His signiture song was My Way and believe me he did it his way! R.I.P dad gone but will not be forgotten. Love Your Daughter-In_Law Sharon
Estella Stanley
March 16, 2011
Mark and Dawn,
I was so sorry to hear of your father's
passing. I will always remember when my husband, Robert, had his tow truck at Dover Downs and I was on the in field and couldn't see anything and Ralph let me and my friend sit on top of his camper to watch the race. I lost Robert in 2007 but I know he and Ralph are up in heaven trading stories about NASCAR.
I know what you are going through and
pray that God will give you peace.
tim frieze
March 16, 2011
mark & family sorry to hear about the loss of your father. i will always remember all the great things he did & remember him best for being the inventor & designer of the baker life chute. i remember still to this day the day i got to do a demonstration with him at the wilm. fire muster in christiana park. got a few brushburns from it lol but it was the best thing your father could have came up with my thoughts & prayers go out to the baker family in their time of loss..
Sandra Lewis
March 16, 2011
I did not have the pleasure of meeting you, but through your grandson I know that you were a great man like my Dad. A day doesn't go by that I don't miss him and through Mark, I know you both would have been friends. You should be very proud of Mark, he is a great man, a great guy! May God bless your family!
Randy Nicholson
March 16, 2011
Joni, Mark, and Dawn: So sorry to hear about my buddy Ralph. He touched me and my family, just as he has touched many others in his travels. 20 plus years we have known him, I will always love and remember him. What a great guy!
Randy, Wanda, Ashley, and Eric.
Mark Baker
March 16, 2011
"Dad, I will miss my lunchtime calls to you. I still can not believe this is real. Who do I watch the Indy 500 with now? After 32 straight years hunting at ORR-Moore how do I go alone? Thank you for taking me around the world but most of all thank you for being my father. Give Pop-Pop a hug & kiss for me.I love you,see you soon,Your Buddy "
dover nascar race
mark baker II
March 16, 2011
Poppop(my idol), there is so much I want to say but it would take forever. You and dad are the greatest men I know and will ever know. I have always wanted to be just like you. I have always wanted to make you proud and I hope I have. I'm the man I am because of you and dad. You have taught me so much. I cherish the great times we shared, especially going to races and doing chute demos when I was little, I just wish there could be more to share. This hurts so bad and I will miss you terribly. I promise to carry on our name, your legacy, memory, and to always make you proud. I love you so much and can't wait to see you again.
Larry and Libby DuHadaway
March 16, 2011
Dear Mark and Family,
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Ralph was a wonderful person and a friend to many.Take comfort in knowing that he touched the lives of so many people and they will always cherish the memories he left behind.
timothy frieze
March 16, 2011
cant believe i just read this ralph was a fantastic man & a friend to many i remember when he invented the baker life chute i was fortunate enough to say i went down the baker life chute at a demonstration quite a few years ago at the wilm. fire muster. ralph will be sadly missed by all who knew this wonderful man. & to the baker family u r in my thoughts & prayers.....
Victoris Quattro
March 16, 2011
God Bless Ralph and his family he will be missed but not forgotten...
I will always remember when we were kids staying at the Barracks in Bethany Beach with Ralph and his family, the Reese's and the Johnson's we had lots of funr and Man could Ralph snore! :)
March 16, 2011
Joni-
You have our deepest sympathies for the loss of Ralph. He was a great neighbor and friend. He will be missed. God Bless you and the entire family.
Kathy and Kevin Bradley
Bridget Baker
March 16, 2011
Poppop,
I can't believe you are gone. I remember so many wonderful times with you. Racing turtles, hanging out in your office at Baker Petroleum, the trip to New York for the Baker Life Chute, the many barbecues and holidays at your house, and your wedding. You were the original greatest man and passed that on to my dad Mark and my uncle Jimmy(RIP). You were loving, caring, strong, compassionate, hard working, and always there for your family. I will miss you very much and will love you always.
Amy Starr
March 16, 2011
Baker Family;
Although it's difficult today to see beyond the sorrow; I hope that looking back on happy memories comforts your tomorrows.
Keep your faith & find strength in knowing you never walk alone. God gained a truly fabulous angel.
Thoughts & prayers are with you all.
xoxo
Amy*
mark & faye sturgis
March 16, 2011
Joni,
With deepest sympathy at this time of sorrow. We will always have fond memories of our wonderful "Family Reunion".
Nancy Biddle
March 16, 2011
Joni,
We are sorry for your loss. Ralph will be missed and we will keep you in our prayers. Nancy Biddle Biddle's Farm Market
Diane White
March 16, 2011
To Mark, Sharon, & Dawn
I know it is difficult when you lose a father. I lost mine in Sept 2009. Just remember that we will see him again in heaven. God Bless all the family.
Whitey & Diane
(from Airport Speedway)
Jamie Richmond
March 16, 2011
I am so sorry for the loss of your grandfather. I know what you are going through. It is the toughest thing to loose someone so close to you. Your family are all in my prayers
Karl Schneider
March 16, 2011
Ralph,
You will be greatly missed by your friends at D&S warehouse & Contractual Carriers. May God bless you and your family.
Amin B
March 16, 2011
Dear Baker family,
I am so sorry for your loss. I know that what you are going throuugh is really hard and I am sorry you have to go through it. My family and I live around your way and we heard about your loss. We are so sorry. Leaning on your famliy and friends at this time is crucial and I hope you do so. Also leaning God and praying to him helps a great deal. I hope you and your family take advantage of that gift.
Elaine Daws
March 16, 2011
Our condolences to the family. I didn't know him, but i do know some of his family and can tell what a great man he was here on earth. God Bless.
Chrissy Baker Ceresini
March 16, 2011
Pop pop....its still hard to believe. God I miss u so much! It just doesn't seem fair! You were truly an amazing grandfather and I am very proud of your courage,strength,wisdom, and your love for your family. I will miss my daily calls to you....even thou I always woke you up. I will miss fishing with you and my girls down your house. And I will miss the way you waved goodbye ....when you placed your hand under your chin and waved. God I love you so much and will miss you always. Love Chrissy (your model)
Carol Silva
March 16, 2011
Joni, my heart goes out to you. Your loss is incomprehensible. You were so close for so many years. I can only pray for you and yours. God Bless you Joni, we miss you. Carol Silva
Terry McGrath
March 15, 2011
Ralph...we will miss you so much...the best neighbor and friend anyone could ever have!!!
Terry, Paula, Kim, Leanne and Hannah
You will always be in our hearts!!
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