Paul W. Baker's Obituary
Paul W. Baker, Durham, NC
August 16, 1933 - August 6, 2015
Paul Wesley Baker died on August 6, 2015 in Durham, NC. Mr. Baker was the son of the late Leona (Fitzpatrick) and Wesley Baker. Survivors include his wife of 46 years Silvia, daughter Katrin Baker and husband Juan Sarabia, all of Durham, NC; daughter Celia Baker of Clearwater, FL; and several nieces.
He was brother to the late Jean Baker Space, Rita Baker Lunger, and Donald Baker. He was born in Pittston, PA on August 16, 1933 and graduated from Tunkhannock High School in 1952. Paul was a starting member of Tunkhannock’s first undefeated, untied football team in 1950 and a charter member of the school’s first Kiwanis Club.
Paul served in the Army for 27 years and had numerous posts in the US and abroad, including: Germany, Eritrea, Southeast Asia and Panama. Highlights of his Army career were medical attendance to the last King of North Yemen in 1961, supporting returning POWs from the Vietnam War, and being an early graduate of the DOD Race Relations Institute. He was a recipient of the Army Commendation Ribbon for Lifesaving. Upon retiring from the military, Mr. Baker worked as an Equal Opportunity Officer and Safety Officer for the Dept. of the Interior (BLM) until his retirement in 1997.
Mr. Baker was passionate about travel, visiting more than 20 countries and 46 states. Paul declared that the major accomplishment of his life was his marriage to Silvia and two wonderful daughters.
A funeral service will be held on Thursday, August 13, 2015 at 10 am at St. Stephens Episcopal Church, 115 N. East St. Culpeper, VA.
Interment will follow in Culpeper National Cemetery with full military honors provided by Culpeper VFW 2524.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Urban Ministries of Durham, Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, or your local ASPCA.
Found and Sons Funeral Chapel of Culpeper is serving the family.
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