Paul A. Baker

Paul A. Baker, 90, died on Tuesday, August 13, 2013, at Glenbrooke At Palm Bay Assisted Living Facility in Palm Bay, FL. Paul was born December 21, 1922, in Dayton, OH, to George A. Baker and Ada E. (Layman) Baker. He was predeceased by his parents, his wife of 60 years, Eleanor M. (Patterson) Baker, two sisters, Edith E. Baker and Ruth B. Haney, brother-in-law Don J.S. Haney, niece Georgeanna R. Haney, sister-in-law Pauline P. Englert and brother-in-law Norman M. Englert.

After graduating from Roosevelt High School in Dayton as Student Body President in 1941, Paul went on to Olivet Nazarene College in Bourbonnais, IL. There he earned a degree in Political Science, graduating as Senior Class President in 1947. His college education was interrupted by two years in the Navy during WWII as a Pharmacist’s Mate 2nd Class.

Paul married Eleanor in 1944 while he was in the Navy, and their first child was a year old before Paul got back from the Pacific Theatre and saw him for the first time. After the war, Paul worked a short stint for Dunn & Bradstreet credit agency, then began his career as a civilian working for the Air Force Logistics Command. After a 30-year career, mostly at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, he retired at age 57 and spent the final 33 years of his life enjoying retirement in Ohio, California and Florida.

Paul’s personal faith in Jesus Christ and his commitment to the church were always in evidence to his family and to others. From early childhood, he became a member of The Church of the Nazarene, with membership at Dayton First Nazarene, Parkview Nazarene and finally at Beavercreek Nazarene. He was a godly man, and all his children and grandchildren are serving the Lord with their lives.

Paul is survived by sons Don N. Baker (Marilyn) of Noel, MO, Robert D. Baker (Linda) of Palm Bay, FL and Barry A. Baker (Frances) of Collierville, TN. His six grandchildren, spread throughout the country, are Jennifer Wasson (Eric), Kevin Baker, Deron Baker, Natalie Kaderly (Keith), Mindy Forey (Mike) and Brian Baker (Courtney). Also surviving are five great-grandchildren Max, Kendra, Autumn, Regan and Lauren, with number six on the way. Paul has one nephew, Norm Englert, and two nieces Paula Coldiron (Bill) and Jill Jones (Darrell).

Friends may call at a viewing at the Tobias Funeral Chapel in Beavercreek, OH, on Sunday, August 18, from 5:00pm to 8:00pm. The funeral will be held at the Beavercreek Church of the Nazarene on Monday, August 19 at 10:00am, and friends may call one hour before the funeral. Burial will be in the Old Silvercreek Twp. Cemetery in Jamestown, OH. In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation may be made to the Mission Fund of the Beavercreek Church of the Nazarene, 1850 N. Fairfield Rd., Beavercreek, OH 45432. This fund supports many fine endeavors, both local and international.