Sandra Baker "Sandi" McNorton

Sandra "Sandi" Baker McNorton passed away peacefully at home on January 25, 2025,
with her daughter beside her. Having lived most of her life in Corpus Christi, she moved
to Austin to be with her beloved grandsons after retiring from the USS Lexington
Museum on the Bay in January 2010. She was 81 years old.
She was born in Austin to Coley and Imogene Baker on December 6, 1943. In 1952, the
family moved to Corpus Christi and along with the Roosevelts, opened Roosevelt-Baker
Photo Co., which remained in business until 2007. Her long history of service to her
community started in middle school when she began volunteering as a Gingham Girl
with the Driscoll Foundation Children's Hospital. She was a twirler and played clarinet in
the school band and graduated from W.B. Ray High School.
Sandi married Charles Turner in 1966 and after his return from the Vietnam War they
moved to Kingsville where Charles was an instructor with Squadron VT-22 advanced
strike jet training unit. Sandi worked for the city of Kingsville as secretary to City
Manager Earl Keaton. She was promoted to Loan and Grant Officer for the Department
of Neighborhood Improvement Program and was later appointed acting City Secretary
by the Kingsville City Commission. She returned to Corpus Christi in 1973 and had a
long and successful career as a sales and marketing executive with the Padre Island
Investment Corporation and Colony Hotels & Resorts Property Management Group. As
Director of Sales for Port Royal by the Sea in Port Aransas, she was twice named
marketing executive of the year for her work with Colony Hotels & Resorts.
She was heavily involved in community organizations to foster local economic growth
and promote the hospitality and tourism industry. She served on the Board of Directors
for the Port Aransas Chamber of Commerce and was elected President during her
second term. She was Chairperson of the Port Aransas Marketing Committee and
Coastal Bend Regional Tourism Council. She also served as Area Council member for
the Corpus Christi Convention & Visitors Bureau and was the first person to chair the
Corpus Christi Film Commission.
The success of the USS Lexington Museum on the Bay was her proudest professional
accomplishment. Sandi was involved with the project from the very beginning, serving
as the museum's Director of Marketing from June 1992 until her retirement in January
2010. She launched multiple marketing campaigns that were integral to the success of
the ship such as Stage Door Canteen, Stars and Stripes, Live Aboard Program for
scouts and youth groups and the Joe Jessel Mega Theater.
She loved to laugh, and her radiant smile could light up a room. A fierce competitor,
"Grandy" as she was known after the birth of her grandsons was never happier than
when playing board or card games with family and friends. She was an excellent bridge
and gin rummy player and could wipe you off the table in ping pong. She instilled that
love of games in her daughter and grandsons, and they will forever cherish game night
at Grandy's.
Sandi is survived by her daughter Lisa Peterson and son-in-law Don, and her
grandsons Donovan and Kael. She is also survived by her brother Ben Baker and his
wife Beverly as well as several nieces and nephews.
In accordance with her wishes, there will be no funeral service. A private celebration of
her life will be held April 5, 2025 aboard the USS Lexington.