Marion Baker

Marion F. Baker VIRGINIA BEACH - Marion Frank "Bake" Baker passed away June 22, 2009, in Sentara Rosemont Nursing Center after a brief illness. He was born March 16, 1925, to the late Lillie Mae and John L. Baker in Lilbourn, Mo. Mr. Baker was predeceased by his brothers, John L. Baker and Jimmy Dale Henry. Although he was always proud to say he hailed from the "boot heel" of Missouri, he always called Newfoundland his home. He was the widower of his beloved wife of 57 years, Jessie May Baker. Bake served his country in the U.S. Navy for more than twenty years retiring as a chief damage control man. His military career started during World War II in the Navy's Armed Guard on the USS William M. Everts. During his Navy career he was a plank owner of CVB - 41 USS Midway and plank owner of YAGR USS Outpost. He had two tours of duty at NavFac Argentia, NFLD and with Fleet Training Center Firefighting School in Norfolk. His Navy career was not just a job but something he enjoyed and was proud of. After his Navy career Bake worked for Norfolk Public Schools at School Plant Facilities and retired after 26 years as carpenter foreman. His family will always remember him as a kind and gentle father, brother, uncle, friend and as a man who was always there when someone called. Bake will be deeply missed! He leaves behind to cherish his memory his daughter, Eva; nephew, Jason Baker and wife Dana and baby Rylee; his brother-in-law, William Follett, (special nephew Clarence and niece Wilma); sister-in-law, Mary Louise Follett; and special nieces, Janette and Linda (husband Majella), Janelle and Victoria, sister-in-law, Valetta Inkpen and husband Arnold (special niece Christine and nephew Keith), nieces, Charlene, Eileen and nephew, Wayne and other special nephews. Mr. Baker was a member of America Legion Post 110, Fleet Reserve Association Branch 99 and VFW. The family wants to express gratitude to Dr. William Cooper, Dr. Dau Le, as well as to Dr. Matthew Tignor, compassionate physicians who provided critical care and to thank "all" the caregivers. We appreciate all the care and concern that has been extended to the family. A special thank you to his dear friends Larry Bain and daughter Rhonda, Luther Eure and Herbert Van Nostrand for their prayers and visits and for all the love and concern from neighbors. A visitation will be held at Altmeyer Funeral Home, 5792 Greenwich Road, Virginia Beach, Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. A graveside service will be conducted Saturday at 11 a.m. at Woodlawn Cemetery with the Rev. Kathleen Haynes officiating. A reception will follow at Heritage United Methodist Church at 815 Baker Road. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests memorial donations to the Heritage United Methodist Church "Food Pantry" 815 Baker Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23462.