Vernon Hunter Baker

Vernon Hunter Baker, 87, of Blacksburg, Va., died July 11, 2009, at his home. Vernon was born in Sante Fe, Tenn., on September 25, 1921, to the late Mary Louise Archer Baker and Benton Hunter Baker. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Jerry Baker and Roger Baker; and three sisters , Evelyn Baker, Thelma Baker Howlett, and Esta Baker Holt. Vernon received his B.S. degree in electrical engineering in 1944, from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Upon graduation he was commissioned in the United States Navy where he served for nine years. In 1948, he received his B.S. in agriculture engineering from UT, Knoxville. He received his Master of Science in agriculture engineering at Michigan State University in 1949, and his Ph.D. from Michigan State in 1953. Mr. Baker worked for several companies while continuing his education. Among these were the Oak Ridge Laboratories and TVA in Tennessee, and the Consumers Power Company, Jackson, Mich. After finishing his masters he was employed by Virginia Tech where he worked as a research associate engineer in the field of electrical controls for food and agricultural processing. While at Virginia Tech he was given a leave of absence to do further graduate work with a grant from the Rockefeller Foundation and the Upjohn Company. In his thirties he was one of the youngest full professors Virginia Tech and authored a book and thirty research articles in state and national journals. He resigned from Virginia Tech in 1958, to enter into his private business ventures. These included designing and constructing AM, FM, and radio common carrier stations in several states. He built the first radio station in Montgomery County, WBCR, in 1954. He and his wife, Virginia, were the founders of Positive Alternative Radio Inc. (Spirit FM and Joy FM), non-profit Christian music radio stations. Vernon was a member of the Blacksburg United Methodist Church, The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, The National Society of Professional Engineers, The Masonic Hunter Lodge No. 156, and was the third registered professional engineer in Virginia. The Virginia Association of Broadcasters honored him in 2004, for lifelong achievement for his major contributions in the state of Virginia in the field of broadcasting. He was an honorary member of the National Research Society of Sigma Xi, and is listed in Who's Who in America. He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Virginia Layman Baker; his children, Patsy Baker, Edward Baker and wife, Judith, Janice Baker Fagan and husband, Joey, all of Blacksburg; daughters, Carol Baker, of Asheville, N.C., and Vanessa Baker Pavlik and her husband, Russ, Hendersonville, Tenn.; his grandchildren, Jason Crews, Jean Crews Piermattei and her husband, Steve, Alison Baker, Diane Baker, Alan Baker, and his wife, April, Michelle Baker, Kelly Fagan, Andrew Fagan, Jessica Fagan, Erin Fagan, Eli Fagan, Hunter Pavlik, Sean Pavlik, and Matthew Pavlik; his brother, Randall Baker and wife, Jean; sisters, Geneva Peach, Colleen Hargrove and husband, Tom, Maxine Lockhart and husband, Jack; and brother-in-law, Jason Holt; two greatgrand children, Julia and Sam Piermattei; and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, July 15, 2009, at 1 p.m. at the McCoy Funeral Home Chapel, 150 Country Club Dr., Blacksburg with the Reverend Reggie Tuck officiating. Interment will follow in the Memorial Gardens of the New River Valley. Friends may call anytime after 12 noon and the family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday evening at the McCoy Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Spirit FM, P.O. Box 929, Blacksburg, Va. 24060.