Charles Winfield Baker

Charles Winfield Baker Born in Aberdeen, MD on February 8, 1921 Departed on January 10th, 2010, and resided in Aberdeen, MD. Charles Winfield Baker, a lifelong resident of Aberdeen, died January 10th, 2010 after a brief illness. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Harward Baker and his daughter Patricia Vandegrift Baker of Baltimore. Also surviving are three grandchildren, Angela Baker Kim of Virginia, Raven N. Baker of New York City, New York, and Hunter L. Baker of Aberdeen. He was predeceased by his son, Neal P. Baker, and his parents P. Tevis and Ethel Ridgely Baker. Mr. Baker graduated from Aberdeen High School and attended Western Maryland College until he entered the U.S. Air Force Flight Training School in 1942. After completing his training as a pilot he served as a Second Lieutenant until he was honorably discharged in 1946. He served in the reserves until called back to active duty from 1951 to 1953. Mr. Baker taught in the Harford County Public School System for 23 years, beginning with Industrial Arts. He studied instrumental music at Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore and Towson State College where he earned a degree in Instrumental Music Education and subsequently taught instrumental music in the Aberdeen Junior-Senior High School and eventually the Aberdeen Middle School. Mr. Baker was always interested in music and played in a dance band since his high school years. He formed the Chuck Baker Orchestra after he began teaching and played for many local events over the last 50 years. He was also a member of the Aberdeen Fire Department Band and the Bel Air Community Band. Mr. Baker was a founder of HARCO (The Harford County Teachers Association Credit Union). He was honored by the Harford County Department of Parks and Recreation for 25 years of volunteer service with the Aberdeen Concert Series. He has also served as a volunteer with The Aberdeen Room Museum. The family will receive friends in the family owned Tarring-Cargo Funeral Home, P.A. of Aberdeen on Sunday, January 17 from 3 to 6pm. A funeral service officiated by Dr. Robert T. Clipp will be celebrated Monday, January 18, 11am in Grace United Methodist Church in Aberdeen. Interment will follow in Baker Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Aberdeen Room Museum, P.O. Box 698, 18 Howard St, Aberdeen, MD 21001 and/or The B&O Station Friends (same address as Aberdeen Room Museum). Funeral Home: Tarring-Cargo Funeral Home 333 South Parke Street Aberdeen, MD US 21001