With profound sorrow we announce that SMSGT Harold Milton (Chico) Baker (USAF Ret.) passed away on Sunday, July 14, 2024 at the age of 92. He is preceded in death by his parents, Henry T. Baker and Catherine (Sewer) Baker as well as his older brother Henry A. Baker.
Harold was born June 20,1932 in New York City where his father was stationed at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. When he was seven years old, the family returned to St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands and lived in the Savan neighborhood. His mother was known to many as Nenny Baker and in addition to her two sons, she had a hand in raising many other children in the area. She was an excellent Spanish speaker and taught her sons to also speak the language. In addition to fluent Spanish, he could converse in German and Japanese.
Harold graduated from Charlotte Amalie High School after which he enlisted in the United States Air Force on August 8, 1951. He often recounted the story of how he was supposed to board the bus to join the Army, but detoured away and stepped onto the bus bound for induction into the Air Force. While home one year on leave, he was introduced to and fell in love with Ivy Hodge, the woman who would become his wife and partner of 65 years and the mother of their six daughters.
As a child growing up, Harold along with his older brother Henry had many adventures and jobs. He apprenticed with a cobbler, sold trinkets to tourists, sang in bands and sold newspapers. He always had a job! After joining the service, Harold worked in a variety of career fields including medical technician, supply and support, munitions maintenance, and social actions. At his retirement in 1978, he was the NCOIC of Social Actions at SAC Headquarters in Bellevue, Nebraska. His career took him (and later his family) to bases all over the world including Vermont, Germany, Japan, New York, Okinawa, Montana, Indiana, Puerto Rico, Thailand, Vietnam, North Dakota, Guam, and Nebraska not to mention the never-ending variety of TDY (temporary duty) assignments. Harold was a veteran of both the Korean War and the Vietnam War.
While in the service, Harold’s dedication, intelligence and commitment to mentoring others fueled his career advancement and status as a leader. He counseled younger service members and encouraged them to make the most of the opportunities presented to them, even in activities that may not have been the most pleasant. In his life after the service, he continued to lift people up and provide a variety of ways to give second chances including helping to found Manpower, Inc. which provided work and life skills to participants.
Chico loved football! One of his greatest joys and proudest moments came as head coach of the Andersen Air Force Base (Guam) Bombers. Under his leadership, the team won the Varsity League Pacific Islands championship in 1974.
Harold was a God-fearing family man. He virtually always had two jobs to provide for his family and enable his wife to be at home to raise the children. He instilled strong morals, values and work ethic in his progeny. The children were encouraged to follow their dreams and he very much enjoyed sharing tales of their successes. The love and pride he felt for them and their accomplishments was never in question and he was quick to say, “I love you.” They were encouraged to become strong and independent women.
After retiring from the service, Harold was recruited by the University of Nebraska Medical Center where he accepted a position as Manager of Affirmative Action and Employee Relations Programs. In 1982, he returned to his beloved Virgin Islands where he served the Government of the Virgin Islands in a variety of positions including Deputy Commissioner for Property and Procurement, Executive Director of the Taxi Commission and Executive Director of the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency. He never applied for any of these jobs, but was actively sought out each time.
As a retired Air Force man, Harold was deeply committed to veterans’ causes. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Disabled American Veterans (DAV), and the Air Force Sergeants Association (AFSA). Patriot Manor, a 150-unit family and veterans housing development on a hillside overlooking Charlotte Amalie Harbor, was completed in 2007 largely due to his leadership and efforts. He also found time to serve as a Captain in the Virgin Islands Police Auxiliary and on the Finance Committee at Frederick Evangelical Lutheran Church in St. Thomas. An excellent public speaker, he served as president of a Toastmasters Club.
Music played a special part in Harold’s life. In addition to singing in bands, you could always count on his beautiful voice joining in the hymns during church service. Did anyone say party?! Don’t let a band strike up with a loose mic because Harold would pick it up and start singing Spanish tunes, calypso or popular music at the drop of a hat. One of his favorite experiences was performing at the famed Apollo Theater.
In 2008 Harold and Ivy made Cary, North Carolina their home and he was there surrounded by his family at the time of his passing. He never met a stranger and was exceedingly generous to friends, family and those in need of a helping hand.
Harold leaves behind to cherish his memory wife: Ivy Hodge Baker, daughters: Emma Baker, Norma Baker, Carol Baker-Phillips, Allyson Boedeker (Ralph), Carmen Tapio (Robert), Diane Gregory (Samuel); Grandchildren: Krishane Lee, Christopher Phillips, Mark Phillips, Rebecca Delaney, Elizabeth Johnson (Joshua), WO1 Rachel Boedeker, Ryan Boedeker (Danielle), Caitlyn Tapio, Joshua Tapio, Aubrea Chalfant, and Jett Phillips; great grandchildren: Elanor Delaney and Luke Johnson; niece: Judith Baker and other loving extended family and friends.
Harold was a forerunner and extraordinary leader who did much to care not only for his family but also to make the world a better place. He was one-of-a kind and will never be forgotten.
The family will receive friends at Brown Wynne Funeral Home, 200 S.E. Maynard Road, Cary, NC, 27511 on Sunday, July 28th starting at 2:00 p.m. with a funeral service at 3:00 p.m. and a reception afterwards. The family will then travel to Salisbury, NC on Monday July 29th where Harold will be given full military honors and laid to rest at the Salisbury National Cemetery.
Flowers are welcomed or memorial contributions can be made to the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) organization at help.dav.org. Memorial tributes and messages can be left below in the "Add a Memory" box below. Brown Wynne of Cary is honored to serve the Baker family.
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