Mr. George Edward Baker, age 86, of Aho Road, Blowing Rock, died Saturday afternoon, May 24, 2008 at Watauga Medical Center.
He was born in Catawba County, Oct. 21, 1921, a son of the late Preston Hoke and Lizzie Emma Eckard Baker.
Mr. Baker was a retired North Carolina State Trooper, having served 35 years, 2 months and 29 days. He was a veteran of World War II having served as a Staff Sergeant with the U.S. Air Force.
He was a member of Rumple Memorial Presbyterian Church where he served as an Elder and Deacon. He was a former Scout Master with Troop 110 in Blowing Rock. Mr. Baker was a 32nd degree Mason, a member and past Master of Snow Lodge # 363 AF& AM, a member of the Winston-Salem Scottish Rite and a member of Oasis Shrine Temple.
Surviving are his wife of 56 years, Virginia Denny Baker; one daughter; Vivian Baker Richards and husband, Larry, of Boone; one son, James Edward Baker and wife, Sheree, of Asheville; one granddaughter, Carrie Richards Phillips and husband, Todd, of Boone; three grandsons, Robby Baker and Bradley Baker, both of Asheville, and Travis Richards of Boone; and two great-grandsons, Chance and Chase Phillips of Boone.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Vivian Gilbert and Margaretta Eckard; two brothers, Forrest and Hoke Baker; and one grandson, Jason Scott Baker.
Services were conducted Tuesday at Rumple Memorial Presbyterian Church. Officiating were the Rev. Richard Holshouser and the Rev. Gordon Noble. Interment, with Masonic Graveside Rites, followed at Woodlawn Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Shriner’s Children Hospital, in care of Oasis Shrine Temple, P O Box 560666, Charlotte, N.C. 28256.
On line condolences may be sent to the Baker family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory was in charge of the arrangements.