GASTONIA - Vernon Ray Baker Sr., 73, of formerly of Lancaster, widower of Shirley Raffaldt Baker, passed away Dec. 1, 2015 at Robin Johnson Hospice House in Dallas.

He was born Aug. 4, 1942, in Lancaster, a son of the late James Monroe Baker and Leila Adams Baker. Mr. Baker served our country in the U.S. Marines.

A service to celebrate the life of Mr. Baker will be held Friday, December 4, 2015 at 2 pm at the Chapel of Lancaster Funeral Home with the Rev. Larry Helm officiating. Burial will be in the Lancaster Memorial Park.

Mr. Baker is survived by a son, Vernon Ray Baker Jr. and his wife Annette of Gastonia; a daughter, Don-na Hearn of Myrtle Beach; a sister, Faye Broome of Lancaster; three grandchildren, Justin Baker and his wife, Ariel of Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, Michelle Lynn Baker and Donna Beth White; and 4 great-grandchildren, Alexandreya Carroll, Cayden Baker, Addyson Baker and Lilli Rouse. He was preced-ed in death by a brother, James Alvin Baker; two sisters, Dorothy Wallace and Barbara Jordan.

The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. until 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, 2015, at Lancaster Funeral Home and other times at the home of Faye Broome.

Notes to the family may be made at www.lancasterfuneralhome.com.

Lancaster Funeral Home & Cremation Service is serving the family of Mr. Baker.