Ronald Wayne Baker

He was born on November 1, 1936 in Washington D.C. to Madolyn Baker. He was born with severe feet deformities and had surgery shortly after birth. His Nanny Hay nurtured and cared for him until he was a rambunctious farm boy and boy scout. Never given special privileges, he learned hard work was the key to success in life.

Following his mother’s footsteps and eager to be of service to his country, he joined the Navy. After trouble with those feet shortened his Navy career, he tried his hand in many different occupations, eventually working for a plumber, where he learned the trade well.

He married his sweetheart, Gertrude Fox in 1955. Together they had three children, Roxanne, Ron, Jr. and Renee. He continued in his plumbing career and eventually started his own business.

In 1975, he decided to make a change to his life, sold his business and properties in Maryland and headed west, traveling four months from coast to coast in an RV, settling in Washburn, Arkansas. He and Trudy owned and operated the Washburn Store from 1975-1980. It was during this time that he learned his birth mother was born just 50 miles down the road in Ola, Arkansas.

After selling the store, he tried his hand as rancher of cattle and sheep while continuing his plumbing business. He was a Master Plumber licensed in Arkansas and Oklahoma, plumbing inspector in Fort Smith and Greenwood, created and ran the service department at Action Mechanical, worked at Fort Chaffee Maintenance, was a volunteer fireman, certified locksmith, licensed real estate agent, life-time member of the NRA, member of the Knights Templar and a 32nd degree Mason, Lodge #605. After retirement he continued to make service calls to members of the community at little or no charge.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Gertrude Baker; daughter, Roxanne and Wayne Kneessi of Cedarville and their daughter, Jennifer Leftwich of Fayetteville; son, Ronald and Marcia Baker, Jr. of Barling and their children, Holly Townley, Megan Montagnino, Kevin Baker, Cody Baker, Lyle Wilson, Cassie Sparks, Victor Wilson, and Renee and Allen Fuller of Greenwood and their children, Alex Fuller, Jason Fuller and Joel Fuller; numerous great-grandchildren; a special niece and preferred caregiver, Kim Fox Gouge and a nephew, Chris Thye.

Services will be in McConnell Funeral Home Chapel in Greenwood, Arkansas on Thursday, March 31, with a family visitation at 1:00 pm and memorial service at 2:00 pm.

Honorary pallbearers will be the Washburn Coffee Drinkers Association.