Ronald James Baker

Ronald James Baker Sr., age 83, passed away on August 8, 2016 in Boca Raton, Florida. He was born in Asheville, NC and attended Biltmore High School. He received a Masters of Hospital Administration from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Ronald served in the US Navy from 1951 until his retirement in 1970, as Hospital Corpsman where he saw action in Vietnam during the Tet Offensive of 1968.

He worked as Chief Hospital Administrator for AMI Medical until his retirement in 1987. One of his assignments was as Chief Administrator at Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center (now "The Gardens") from 1981 - 1984, overseeing it's expansion and incorporation of a Cardiac Care facility.

Ronald also served as President of the Church Council at Bethel Lutheran Church.

Ronald is survived by his wife of more than 23 years, Zelia Barradas Baker; sister Virginia Barnes of Johnson City, TN; sons Ronald James Baker Jr. (Victoria) of Stecoah, NC; Stephen Jerome Baker (Young) of Raleigh, NC; Daniel Joseph Baker (Diane) of Lake Worth, FL. Grand-daughter Katherine Baker of Dayton, OH, Matthew Baker and Angela Baker, Granddaughter Alexandria Witte of Jupiter and Kyle Pikis of Palm Beach Gardens. Step-daughters Elvia Witte of Jupiter, Marina Pikis of Tequesta, and Sandra Petersen (Jon) of Bainbridge, OH.

He was preceded in death by his father Ronald Loy and mother Jessie Lenora Baker, brother Winfred L Baker, sister Martha Jean Williams and first wife Elma Neubert Baker.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the Shriners Hospitals For Children (http://www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/en/donate).