Col. Charles R. Baker, retired Marine officer
Charles Roland Baker, 93, of Weems, Va., passed away Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, at Rappahannock General Hospital in Kilmarnock, Va., in the company of his devoted children, Brenda Mayer and Richard Baker.
Born Feb. 3, 1919, in Gumboro, retired U.S. Marine Col. Baker, “Bake” was the husband of the late Grace Baker, and son of the late Charles H. and Lizzie E. Baker.
He attended Millsboro High School, where he played baseball, and then graduated from the University of Delaware, where he was in ROTC. As a commanding officer in the U.S. Marine Corps, he landed in the first U.S. amphibious landing of the Pacific War when the 1st Marine Division invaded Tulagi and Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands in 1942 in the South Pacific.
His 22-year Marine Corps career was highlighted by many accomplishments in addition to his World War II service, including being an instructor in officer’s school, Quantico, Va.; executive officer of support of the Western Pacific Forces in China; played shortstop on the Wes-Pac baseball team that won the Western Pacific Championship; staff of commander-in-chief of the Atlantic Fleet, Norfolk, Va.; staff of commander-in-chief, Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean, London, England; staff of the commandant of the Marine Corps, Washington, D.C.; and commanding officer, 2nd Marine Regiment of the 2nd Marine Division of Camp LeJeune, N.C. He was awarded the Bronze Star for Valor along with many other commendations prior to retiring from the military in 1962 to assume a career in Fairfax Public Schools.
He settled in Falls Church, Va. and became assistant principal at George C. Marshall High School. Bake was known for his love of golf, bowling, cards and vegetable gardening. He passed on his sense of honor, competitiveness, and love for life to his family. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, as well as a longtime member of Sussex Pines Country Club.
He is survived by three loving children and their spouses: Richard and Sandra Baker of Walkersville, Md., Daniel Baker of Reston, Va. and Brenda and Michael Mayer, of Weems; eight grandchildren: Carolyn Remsburg, Julie Gurnee, Katie Smith and Charles Baker; Jeffrey Baker and Julie Lobb; and Megan and Andi Mayer; seven great-grandchildren: Willa and Charlotte Baker; Taylor, Elizabeth, and Juliette Remsburg; River Hunt; and Wesley Lobb. In addition to his wife, Bake was preceded in death by his sister, Beatrice White; and his first son, Donald Baker.
A funeral service will be held at noon, Saturday, Sept. 29, at Watson Funeral Home, 211 S. Washington St., Millsboro, where friends may call from 10 a.m. till noon. Rev. Jim Vanderwall will officiate. Interment follows with full military honors at the Millsboro Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Grace United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 566, Millsboro, DE 19966.
