Born in Birmingham, AL to Norton M. and Ruth Shirley Baker on February 6, 1929 weighing a mere 2 lbs, he was placed in the first neonatal incubator in the state of Alabama. His fierce determination drove him to become the larger-than-life man we knew and loved.
He knew at the age of 13 that he wanted to become a physician and charted his course. He attended Ramsey High School, leaving in 1945 (age 17) to enlist in the US Navy. He served his first tour aboard the USS Wright Aircraft Carrier and was honorably discharged in 1948. He attended Birmingham Southern College, finishing his pre-med studies in 3 years. He enrolled in University of Alabama at Birmingham but was called back into the Navy during the Korean War serving another 3 years in the Medical Corps. He returned back to UAB to complete his Doctorate of Medicine in 1959. He completed his medical internship at Carraway Hospital in Birmingham and then relocated to Orlando where he began his Orthopedic Residency at Orange Memorial Hospital. He went into private Orthopedic Sports Medicine practice in 1963 until his retirement in 2011. He served as both Chief of Staff and Chief of the Orthopedic Department at Orlando Regional Medical Center. He was recognized as one of the Surgeons of Distinction at Orlando Health. He was a member of the American Medical Association (AMA), American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS), American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) and the Florida Medical Association (FMA). Following retirement, he enjoyed 5 years at Grace Medical Home as a volunteer physician.
Dr. Baker loved all sports, especially playing golf and earlier in life, softball, but his greatest joy was treating athletes, from well-known professionals to high school athletes to those just beginning, sports medicine was his passion.
During his residency, he became the team doctor for Boone High School where he was on the sidelines every Friday night of football season for 35 years. In 1987, the football field was named “Dr. Norton Baker Field” in his honor.
His love of ALL things University of Alabama led him to recruit many football players from the Central Florida area during the Bear Bryant, Ray Perkins and Bill Curry eras. For his efforts, he was named “Honorary Assistant Coach” under Coach Bear Bryant and later an honorary member of the prestigious “A Club” reserved primarily for past players and coaches. In addition, he also served as the team doctor for the Atlanta Braves during Spring Training and The Florida Citrus Open – which later became the Bay Hill Classic. He was a founding member of the Downtown Athletic Club which presented the Butkis Award annually.
Dr. Baker was a longtime member of First Presbyterian Church of Orlando where he proudly served as both an Elder and a Deacon. He was also deeply involved in a men’s bible study which he faithfully attended for over 25 years.
He travelled all over the world with his wife playing golf, most notably to Scotland, Ireland, etc. He also looked forward to attending the Masters Golf Tournament every year for over 25 years.
Dr. Baker was a kind, compassionate, caring physician, wonderful friend, brother, father, Papa and husband. He is survived by his wife Alene J. Baker, his children Amy Baker Orzo (Neil) and Bradley Baker, granddaughters Macie Severson and Emmy Severson, grandson Jacob Baker, bonus granddaughter Bella Orzo, sister Judy Bewley (Adrian) of Birmingham, AL. He is predeceased by his son, Mason Baker. He will be greatly missed by his former patients, staff, collogues, friends and family.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, September 23, 2021 at First Presbyterian Church of Orlando, 106 E. Church St., Orlando, FL 32801. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his honor to Boone High School Athletic Association or Grace Medical Home, 1417 E. Concord St., Orlando, FL 32803 or a secure online gift at gracemedicalhome.org.
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