George Harold Baker, Jr.

George H. Baker, Jr., age 88, died on December 3rd, 2009 at his home in Bel Air, MD surrounded by his family. He was born on April 25, 1921 and, except for his last two years at Avondell Retirement Community in Bel Air, he was a life-long citizen of Aberdeen, MD. He was the son of the late G. Harold Baker and Louise L. Baker of Aberdeen. George's family pioneered the Harford County vegetable and fruit canning industry. George was an alumnus of Dickinson College and the University of Maryland. He served in the China-Burma-India Theater during World War II, and afterwards remained in the reserves attaining the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He was employed at the Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG) in several roles: as the director of the Army Education Center, member of the APG Headquarters Plans Office, APG Historian, APG Schools Officer, and retiring from federal service as the APG Equal Employment Opportunity Officer. He finished his career with positions at the Maryland H.E.L.P. Child Protection Resource Services in Baltimore and industrial arts instructor at Northeast High School. George was a life-long member of Grace United Methodist Church in Aberdeen, serving as local minister, Sunday school teacher and superintendent, and choir member. For many years he served as the president of the Baker Cemetery Association. He was a charter member and director of the Aberdeen Room Archives and Museum. He was a devoted member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. He is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Betty (Fost) Baker. He is the beloved father of five children, G. Harold Baker III of Harrisonburg, VA, Deborah B. Richa of Sparks, Elizabeth Anne "Betsy" Lewis of Bel Air, Martha L. McEvoy of Rising Sun, and Thomas F. Baker of Midlothian, VA. He is survived by one brother, James L. Baker of Sherwood Forest, MD and predeceased by his brother R. Barry Baker. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Funeral services were conducted at the Grace United Methodist Church in Aberdeen on December 7th, 2009, Rev. Robert Clipp officiating. Pallbearers were his 8 grandsons Matthew Baker, Jeffrey Baker, Peter Richa, Mark Richa, Andrew Baker, Michael Baker, Christopher McEvoy, and Samuel Lewis. Interment was in Baker Cemetery. Donations may be made to Grace United Methodist Church, 110 W. Bel Air Ave, Aberdeen, MD 21001 and the Aberdeen Room Archives and Museum, 18 N. Howard St., Aberdeen, MD 21001. Funeral Home: Tarring-Cargo Funeral Home 333 South Parke Street Aberdeen, MD US 21001