Ronald Lee Baker

Ron was born in Springfield, Illinois to John F. Baker and Eleanor V. (McCann) Baker on June 25, 1937. He graduated from Lanphier High School in Springfield, Illinois in 1955 and Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois in 1964. He married the former Mary Alice Von Brock in November 1961 and she preceded him in death in February 2020.

Ron began his career working for the Pillsbury Company in Springfield, Illinois. Upon graduation from college, he was commissioned into the United States Air Force and held military assignments in Colorado Springs, Colorado; Madrid, Spain; Baltimore, Maryland; and Los Angeles, California. After separation of active duty from the Air Force in 1972, he joined the Air Force Reserves and held various reserve assignments. He retired with the rank of Colonel from the reserves in 1994, as the Andrews Air Force Base detachment commander for the Aeronautical Systems Division, Maryland. He received the following Air Force military citations: Legion of Merit; Meritorious Service Medal and the Air Force Commendation Medal.

His civilian career consisted of working for the state of Illinois and the federal government. While at the state of Illinois, he was the first comptroller for the Illinois State Lottery; budget director for the state of Illinois Department of Labor, and a budget officer for the Illinois Department of Mental Health and Disabilities. After leaving the state government career in 1978, he accepted a federal government position at the Pentagon in Washington, DC; and later was appointed on the faculty as a professor at the Defense Systems Management College at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Upon his retirement from the federal government in 1996, he received the Commendation for Superior Civilian Service. Ron was a member of the Messiah United Methodist Church in Springfield, Virginia and had volunteered in various way at the church after retiring.

In addition to his wife, he is preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Richard D. Baker.

Ron is survived by three children: Laurie (Warren) Carter of Collinsville, Illinois; Michael (Diane) Baker of Ashburn, Virginia; and Kathleen (Joseph) Walsh of Lorton, Virginia and 6 grandchildren: Stephen, Philip and Lauren Carter; Alexander and Katelyn Baker; and Lily Walsh.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024 at 1 pm at the Messiah United Methodist Church in Springfield, Virginia with Pastor Reggie Tuck officiating. A burial will follow at a later date at the Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield, Illinois.

Arrangements are being made by Demaine Funeral Home in Springfield, Virginia. and Bisch and Sons in Springfield, Illinois.

Memorials can be made to the Messiah United Methodist Church, Springfield, Virginia or Capital Caring Health Hospice.