Edward Sanford "Ed" Baker's Obituary
Mr. Edward S. “Ed” Baker, age 90, passed away peacefully on March 28, 2017 at his home surrounded by those who loved him most.
Born in East Stone Gap, Virginia on October 21, 1926, Ed was the son of the late Harry K. and Gertrude (Hensley) Baker. A veteran of the United States Navy, Ed served his country from December 8, 1943 to May 24, 1946. On February 13, 1949, he married the former Dorothy Marie “Dot” Collier with whom he shared 68 years in a marriage graced with love, family, and time-honored values that they imparted to their daughter, grand-daughters and great grand-children.
In 1951, Ed began working at Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co. as a piece-work counter and retired from his management position on November 1, 1988.
Ed was gentle, mild-mannered, good hearted and he loved with all his heart. He received the greatest joy from the simple pleasures in life such as gardening, churning home-made ice cream, grilling the perfect steak and building beautiful wind chimes. He was a master of words and there wasn’t a cross-word puzzle made that he couldn’t complete. He protected and provided for his family, and when everyone was together, he was his happiest. He sat at the head of the table, telling the same jokes with the same enthusiasm (no one will forget M. R. Ducks!), sharing his funny expressions, and often just silently observing the joys of his family with a content smile on his face. He had a fond love for animals, especially his beloved Sissy. Most Sunday mornings were spent at Bethany Baptist Church, where Ed often served as an usher, and followed by dinner with the extended family.
When it came to sports, he knew the rules of the game, and was competitive in his own right. He was an enthusiastic golfer with a colorful vocabulary and a proud Redskins football fan. At the age of 80, with no prior music experience, he learned to play the trombone when asked by two former Redskin Band members to join the Leisure World Band.
He was thankful for the wonderful woman he married and the blessing of his daughter, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren who loved him and made him so proud. Ed loved life and the beautiful journey it was.
Ed is survived by his beloved wife of 68 years Dorothy Marie (Collier) Baker, his daughter Brenda E. Baker, of Reston, VA, grandchildren: Michelle Bluhm, of Cornelius, NC and Sharon (David) Johnson, of Vienna, VA, great-grandchildren: Zachary Bluhm, of Chapel Hill, NC, Tanner Bluhm, of Cornelius, NC and Grayson Johnson, of Vienna, VA, a sister Julia (Dody) Sinclair of East Stone Gap, VA, and many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his one brother, Paul Baker and his four sisters, Nita (Baker) Poe, Mary (Baker) Powers, Cora (Baker) Mullins, and Madge (Baker) Nickey.
The family extends sincere appreciation to Ed's wonderful care-givers, Viviane and Susannah of Loudon Home Care and Maggie, Jill and Michele with Vitas Healthcare, who provided love, compassion, and exceptional support to Ed and his loved ones.
The family will honor and commemorate Ed's life at a private time. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Ed’s graveside funeral service to be held Monday April 3, 2017 at 3:30 pm at Peninsula Memorial Park 12750 Warwick Blvd., Newport News, VA 23606. Expressions of sympathy in the form donations can be made to Vitas Healthcare (www.vitascommunityconnection.org/community-connection/donate) or the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org/join_the_cause_donate.asp).
What’s your fondest memory of Edward?
What’s a lesson you learned from Edward?
Share a story where Edward's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Edward you’ll never forget.
How did Edward make you smile?
