Jerry Allen Baker

Jerry A. Baker, 82, of West Hills, died Tuesday, January 10, 2012 at Emeritus Hospice, Northridge, California after a long battle with cancer. He was born 5 October, 1929 in Chanute, Kansas, the son of Joe w. Baker and Minnie c. (Riley) Baker.

He leaves his wife of 59 years, Marjorie (Johns) Baker; three children, Patrick (Debby) of Reseda, Dana Lynn Blackwell (Gary) of Santa Rosa Valley, and Steve Baker (Holly) of Fortuna, California; a step-brother Dr. Merle Pierce of Maple Valley Washington; two-step-sisters, Marjorie Sutherland of Renton, Washington, Lois Jones of Surprise, Arizona, and four grandsons.

Jerry graduated from South Kitsap High School, Port Orchard, Kitsap Co, Washington in 1947. He earned his Associate of Arts degree from Olympic College, Bremerton, Kitsap Co, Washington and his Baccalaureate degree in Mathematics in 1951 from Central Washington University, Ellensberg, Washington.He took graduate courses in Management, Physics, and Optics at California State University Northridge, California State University Santa Barbara, and UCLA.

His working career was spent in the military and defense industry. He enlisted in the US Air Force, July 1951, and was discharged, April 1956 asa 1st Lt. He then was employed by The Boeing Company in Seattle, Washington until 1964 as the Unit Chief of the Analog Simulation Laboratory. Two short periods of employment followed at Beckman Instuments in Richmond, California and Milgo Instruments in Miami, Florida. Jerry retired after more than twenty years working at Hughes Aircraft Co in Canoga Park, California as Manager of Systems Simulation Department, Missile Division. He worked a post-retirement job as an Applied Mathematician for the US Navy, Naval Air Warfare Center at Pt. Mugu, California.

He was a member of several Professional Organizations, including the Institute of Radio Engineers, The Society for Computer Simulation, The International Society for Analog Computers, The International Society of Optical Engineers and Association of Old Crows (Electronic Counter Measures). He also was a member of a number of Hereditary Societies.

Memorials may be made to a charity of choice.