Benjamin Fredrick Baker

After a courageous battle with leukemia, Benjamin Fredrick Baker, 83, of Cary, North Carolina went home to be with the Lord on January 10, 2022. He was surrounded by the family that he loved and cared for so very much.

Ben was born on June 18, 1938 to Boyce and Catherine Baker in Wadesboro, NC. He grew up in a large close-knit family of seven brothers and one sister. Ben was a three-sport athlete in high school and was selected to compete in the 1956 East-West All Star football game in Greensboro. After high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served from 1957 to 1961. He completed basic training in San Diego, California and was stationed in such places as Jacksonville, Florida; Norman, Oklahoma; and Norfolk, Virginia.

On August 6, 1960, Ben married the love of his life, Doris Staton. They settled in Charlotte and began to build a life together. After working with National Welders Supply for a couple of years, Ben got his first job in the textile industry in 1964 as a quality control manager with Hudson Hosiery in Charlotte and quickly rose through the managerial ranks. He was hired as General Manager with Chadbourn Hosiery in 1970 and he moved his family to Gainesville, Georgia. After 4 years in Georgia, Ben and family moved back to North Carolina where Ben took a position as plant manager for Glen Raven Mills in Newland. He also managed the plant at Altamahaw, NC. In 1978 Ben and family moved to Belmont and made the longest stop of his textile career. Ben was VP of Manufacturing for Belmont Hosiery Company working there for almost 20 years. After moving to Cary in 1998 to be nearer to his children and grandchildren, Ben kept himself busy by working part-time with Atlantic Tire.

Outside of work, Ben loved to play golf, church league softball and watch his beloved Tar Heels play basketball and football. He volunteered his time with service organizations like the Lions Club, and Optimist Club, where he served as secretary for several terms. He was devoted to the Lord and a faithful church member for many years at Belmont First Baptist and Cary First Baptist, where he served as a deacon and teller. He was a voracious reader and in his later years recorded reading over 1,000 titles. He loved traveling and went on a dozen cruises with Doris and other family members. His most favorite thing to do was spend time with his family at the beach–especially in Murrells Inlet/Garden City, South Carolina.

Ben is survived by his wife of 61 years, Doris; a daughter, Pam Barnette (Steve) of Holly Springs, NC; son, Chris Baker (Stephanie), of Apex, NC; grandson Trey Daniels of Cary, NC; granddaughter Adison Miller (Andrew) of Knoxville, TN; grandson Andrew Baker of Morrisville, NC; grandson Alex Baker of Apex, NC; and Luke Baker of Apex, NC. He is also survived by a brother, Bryant Baker of Matthews, NC.

The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to the doctors and nurses at UNC Rex Cancer Center in Cary for their compassionate care during Ben’s prolonged illness. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Cary First Baptist Church or the organization of your choice.