C. Ray Baker Jr.

C. Ray Baker Jr. left this earth on March 4, 2011, to be with his Lord. He was born on August 8, 1939, at St. Edward Hospital to parents, Charles Ray and Helen Westbrooke Baker, who preceded him in death. Ray Sr. was a professional baseball player and Helen was a beauty queen. Ray’s dad left the professional player ranks and became a manager of the Muskogee Reds Baseball team. Later Ray Sr. was a scout for the Washington Senators and the Houston Astros. Although the family, Ray and his sisters, Toy and Theda, traveled to many states, Fort Smith was always their home.

Ray attended Rogers Elementary, Darby Jr. High and Fort Smith High School (Northside).From a young age he wanted to teach and to enter politics. To pursue this goal, Ray attended Fort Smith Junior College (UAFS), Peabody College in Nashville, TN and graduated from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. Years later, he received a Masters in Education from the U. of A.He began his teaching career at Ramsey Jr. High in the fall of 1961.Two years later he transferred to Southside High School, becoming a member of the school’s original faculty. He served as the Chairman of the Social Studies Department and Senior Class sponsor for 44 years. Ray loved teaching and left his former students with memories of the lollipop award, froggy’s pop quizzes and his singing of General George. His room was certainly an experience for his students. Walls, ceilings, and shelves were filled with student projects and historical artifacts from stuffed toys to wooden Indians. Over the years Ray received many awards including: Arkansas Teacher of the Year and runner-up National Teacher of the Year in 1984, DAR National Teacher, State PTA Teacher, and the Milkin Award. He was a Fulbright Scholar in 1964 and studied for six weeks at the University of Beirut.

Ray served as the local Classroom Teachers Association President, State CTA President and Arkansas Education Association State President. In addition to his classroom teaching, Ray also taught the Uplifters Sunday School Class at First United Methodist Church for over 20 years. He took great joy in being their teacher. He always started the lesson with corny jokes that he enjoyed more than the class members. His lessons were broadcast on the radio and there were many loyal followers of this broadcast.

In 1981, Ray entered city politics and was elected Director at Large, a position he held until 1990.In 1990, life for Ray changed dramatically when he made the decision to run for Mayor and asked Fred Patton to be his campaign manager. Both decisions had a tremendously positive impact on his life. Fred remained Ray’s close friend and adviser for the remainder of his life. Citizens elected Ray as Mayor and re-elected him four more times, resulting in his serving as Fort Smith’s Mayor for 20 years.

Ray’s love for this community and its citizens is hard to describe. Many thousands of citizens have been recipients of his thoughtfulness through cards, letters, and flowers. He brightened the day of many individuals in hospitals and nursing homes by his hand written cards. He wanted the very best for this community and he was their number one cheerleader. He Honored citizens from every walk of life and never turned down a request. He was very patriotic, and recognized citizens for their acts of patriotism. He felt families were the backbone of any community, so he presented awards for Father, Mother and Family of the Year. He loved the arts and promoted them in the community by establishing his Mayors Honors to the Visual and Performing Arts Awards. He also reached out to the community by hosting the Martin Luther King breakfast and the Mayor‘s Prayer breakfast.

Ray was full of energy and his accomplishments and awards are too lengthy to mention. Being recognized was never his goal; serving his fellow citizens was his only goal. He encouraged others to serve with his Angel luncheons that he hosted every year. Ray loved his family and was so proud of his son, Brett, and daughter, Tiffany. He was delighted when they married wonderful spouses and loved them dearly as well. He was extremely grateful for his grandchildren and enjoyed and loved each one in his own special way. The birth of the first grandchild, Alexis, he did not want the traditional name usually reserved for grandparents, so he came up with “Ruffy” and it was a hit with the grandchildren. The 5 grandchildren loved, respected, and enjoyed Ruffy. Ray and Nancy were married for 46 years. They met at Southside High school where they both taught social studies. Opposite in personality, the marriage worked. Happy and fond memories remain.

Ray is survived by his wife, Nancy; son Brett and his wife Mary and their children Alexis and Zachary of Andover, KS; daughter Tiffany Null and her husband Greg and their children Hannah, Rachel, and Jacob of Fort Smith; two sisters Toy of Fort Smith and Theda Jackson and husband Ron of Greenwood, AR.; sister-in-law Jane Neely of Mustang, OK; brother-in-law Jack Harper of Prescott, AZ and many nieces and nephews. He will be missed by his family and many friends. He lived life to the fullest and it can be said he made “Life worth living in Fort Smith, Arkansas!”

Memorial Service will be Monday, March 7, 2011 at 1:00 PM in the First United Methodist Church Sanctuary under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home. Private family interment will be in Forest Park Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Tom Caldarera, Bud Harper, Jim Harwood, Dr. David Hunton, Bob Jeffery, Arthur Rideout, Tony Scherrey, Ben Shipley, and Nick Cox. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Uplifters Sunday School Class.

The family will greet friends in the Family Life Center of First United Methodist Church following the Memorial Service.

MEMORIALS CAN BE MADE TO KISTLER TREATMENT CENTER FOR CHILDREN, 3304 SOUTH M, FORT SMITH, AR 72903, FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 200 NORTH 15TH, FORT SMITH, AR 72901, OR THE CHARITY OF ONE’s CHOICE