Richard
Richard Thomas Baker
d. February 3, 2016
CARTHAGE - Richard Thomas Baker, 95, formerly of 435 South James St., died early Wednesday morning at the Country Manor Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, where he had been a patient since 2014.
Born at home in Champion on the Stoddard Rd., on October 27, 1920 the son of the late Forest & Catherine Amy Wood Baker; he graduated from Copenhagen High School in 1937. He served as a Technical Sargent in the Army Air Corps during World War II. He rode the Queen Elizabeth from New Jersey to England after being drafted in August of 1942; he flew 30 combat missions from England to Germany as a top turret gunner. He returned home in 1945. During his four year duty Richard collected the Distinguished Flying Cross and air metal with four clusters. He carried a cigarette lighter made from pieces of Flak and .50 Cal shells as a good luck piece.
He then married Rose Agnes Spencer in Utica in 1949. He was employed by the Teamsters and worked for Buckley Motor Express from 1949 -1969 and D.L. Reed Trucking from 1969 until his retirement in 1983. Mrs. Baker died in 1984. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, watching baseball and telling stories. He was a member of the National Rifle Association, a 62 year member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #7227, Carthage and a 26 year member of the American Legion Post #789, Carthage.
Richard is survived by his step-son, Leland Spencer and family, North Carolina; his sister, Genevieve Baker, Watertown, his sister in law, Beulah Baker, Copenhagen and several nieces and nephews.
He is predeceased by his brothers, Winifred (Murph), William (Bill) and Leo Baker.
A funeral service with Military Honors will be held on Sunday, February 7th at 4:00 PM in the Chapel of the Lundy Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Inc., 500 State St., Carthage. Calling hours will be held prior to the service, from 2:00 - 4:00 PM. Burial will be in the spring at the families' convenience in St. Mary's Cemetery, Copenhagen.
Memorial donations in his name may be made to the American Legion Post #789, 415 West St., Carthage or the VFW Post #7227, 668 West End Ave., Carthage, NY 13619. Online condolences may be made at www.lundyfuneralhome.com.
Born at home in Champion on the Stoddard Rd., on October 27, 1920 the son of the late Forest & Catherine Amy Wood Baker; he graduated from Copenhagen High School in 1937. He served as a Technical Sargent in the Army Air Corps during World War II. He rode the Queen Elizabeth from New Jersey to England after being drafted in August of 1942; he flew 30 combat missions from England to Germany as a top turret gunner. He returned home in 1945. During his four year duty Richard collected the Distinguished Flying Cross and air metal with four clusters. He carried a cigarette lighter made from pieces of Flak and .50 Cal shells as a good luck piece.
He then married Rose Agnes Spencer in Utica in 1949. He was employed by the Teamsters and worked for Buckley Motor Express from 1949 -1969 and D.L. Reed Trucking from 1969 until his retirement in 1983. Mrs. Baker died in 1984. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, watching baseball and telling stories. He was a member of the National Rifle Association, a 62 year member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #7227, Carthage and a 26 year member of the American Legion Post #789, Carthage.
Richard is survived by his step-son, Leland Spencer and family, North Carolina; his sister, Genevieve Baker, Watertown, his sister in law, Beulah Baker, Copenhagen and several nieces and nephews.
He is predeceased by his brothers, Winifred (Murph), William (Bill) and Leo Baker.
A funeral service with Military Honors will be held on Sunday, February 7th at 4:00 PM in the Chapel of the Lundy Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Inc., 500 State St., Carthage. Calling hours will be held prior to the service, from 2:00 - 4:00 PM. Burial will be in the spring at the families' convenience in St. Mary's Cemetery, Copenhagen.
Memorial donations in his name may be made to the American Legion Post #789, 415 West St., Carthage or the VFW Post #7227, 668 West End Ave., Carthage, NY 13619. Online condolences may be made at www.lundyfuneralhome.com.
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