Paul Richard Baker

Paul R. Baker, (CAPT, USMC Ret.), 78, of Albany, GA, died June 3, 2012 at his residence. Funeral services will be held Friday at 11:00 AM at Hasan Shrine Center with Military Honors provided by The United States Marine Corps and Masonic Honors provided by the Tri County Memorial Club. Rev. John Jacobs will officiate. The Legion of Honor and Hasan Divan will serve as honorary pallbearers.

A native of Fairmont, WV, Mr. Baker graduated from Fairmont High School and joined the United States Marine Corps. He served for twenty years and was a veteran of Vietnam War, where he received numerous citations, medals and ribbons. He retired from the Marine Corps in Philadelphia, PA in 1971 with the rank of Captain and moved to Albany, GA in 1976.

Mr. Baker was employed with civil service for twenty years and at his retirement he was Deputy Chief of Staff of Marine Corps Logistics Base, Albany, GA. He was a member of Porterfield Memorial United Methodist Church, The Marine Corps Mustang Association and was a life member of the Retired Officers Association. Mr. Baker was also a member of the Loyal Order of The Moose, The Benevolent and Protective Order of The Elk and Doublegate Country Club.

Mr. Baker was a member of Triangle Lodge # 708 F&AM, received the honorary degree of Knight Commander of the Court of Honour as a Scottish Rite Mason in 1995 and served as Venerable Master of The Valley of Albany in 2006. He was a member of The York Rite Masonic Body of Albany and The Red Cross of Constantine.

Mr. Baker was a member of Hasan Shriners, where he served as Potentate in 1997, was a member of and Past Commander of The Legion of Honor 1983 and was Past International Commander of The Legion of Honor 2005-2006. He was member of the Royal Order of Jesters, Court # 195, Order of the "Q", Representative for the Dixie Shrine Association and served as Recorder of Hasan Shrine from 2006 until 2011. Mr. Baker served as President of Southeastern Shrine Association in 2009 and served on the Board of Directors of The Tampa Shriners Hospital for Children for nine years.

Survivors include his wife of forty two years, Jolyn Baker of Albany, GA, his children, Steven (Steve) Paul Baker and his wife, Karen of Denver, CO, Kevin Duane Baker and his wife, Marnie and Gregory Scott (Greg) Baker all of Colorado Springs, CO, Steven R. (Randy) Sprint and his wife, Benita of Albany, GA and Sally Jolyn Anderson and her husband, Matthew of Worth County, GA, his grandchildren, Tarrin Pakes and her husband, Jason of Vienna, VA, Sara Carswell of Albany, GA, Julie M. Baker of Colorado Springs, CO, Nature I. Hancock and her husband, Jacob of Albany, GA, Brooke Stephens and Erin Stephens both of Denver, CO, five great-grandchildren, two sisters, Edna M. Swisher and her husband, Bill and Francis F. Stansberry and a sister-in-law, Betty Baker all of Fairmont, WV and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a brother, Carl H. Baker.

The family will receive friends from Thursday from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Mathews Funeral Home.

Those desiring may make contributions to Shriners Hospitals for Children c/o Hasan Shriners Transportation Fund, 1822 Palmyra Road, Albany, GA, 31701.