Charles Chuck Wiley Baker

Chuck was a poignant example of how one life well lived can touch so many others. In his final days, a steady stream of colleagues, friends and loved ones took time to share how in his quiet and humble way Chuck had influenced their lives for the better.

Born in Harnett County, NC, on February 29, 1932 to Freddie William Baker and Eva Wood Baker, Chuck was the oldest of nine children. He was predeceased by his parents and older brother Edward, who died in infancy. Growing up on his family’s farm, Chuck learned at an early age the value of hard work, honesty and generosity.

A born salesman, as a young boy Chuck began honing his skills selling packets of vegetable and flower seeds to neighbors. He was educated in the Harnett County Schools and graduated Lafayette High School. Chuck worked at Belk Stores during high school and his two years at Campbell College before serving four years in the United States Air Force. Upon discharge, Chuck attended Wake Forest College in Winston-Salem, graduating in 1956. He was employed by NCR Corporation/AT&T for 27 years. Retirement, however, was not in Chuck’s vocabulary, as he immediately embarked on a second career in real estate sales with Howard Perry & Walston for nearly 20 years.

Chuck considered his greatest successes to be his 53-year marriage to wife Patricia, their three children, teaching life lessons to Boy Scouts as Scoutmaster of Troop 334, and mentoring young professionals through work. He was a member of the West Raleigh Rotary Club where he was a Paul Harris Fellow. Chuck brought an air of whimsy to the workplace by founding a beloved 9-year tradition known as “Mater Sandwich Day” at Howard Perry & Walston. A man known for his unwavering faith, Chuck was a devoted member of St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, where he enjoyed many years serving as a member of the Vestry and as a Lay Reader.

Chuck is survived by his wife, Patricia Huff Baker, and their three children: Charlie Baker and wife, Gayle, of Charlotte, NC; Mark Baker and wife, Nancy, of Purcellville, VA; and Anne Baker Altizer and husband, Steve, of Alexandria, VA; along with seven grandchildren: Grace Baker, Davis Baker, Kelsey Baker, Benjamin Baker, Hayes Baker, Browning Altizer, and Drew Altizer. Surviving members of Chuck’s family include: brothers Colon Baker (Jean) of Coldwater, MS, Preston Baker (Phyllis) of Fuquay-Varina, Pearce Baker (Betty) of Dunn; sisters Shirley Talton (Dick) of Fuquay-Varina, Carolyn Burns (TC) of Fuquay-Varina, Linda Hawk (Jim) of Rowlett, TX, Glenda Dowd of Garner and Joyce Baker of Fuquay-Varina, as well as dozens of nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Chuck’s life will be held at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, 4523 Six Forks Road, in Raleigh on Wednesday, November 16th at 11:00 am. Chuck will be interred at Wake Chapel Memorial Gardens in Fuquay-Varina at 2:30 pm.

The family would like to express deep gratitude to the dedicated nurses and staff at Rex Cancer Center and Hospice of Wake County, especially Drs. Jeffrey Crane and Kenneth Zeitler. Their loving and attentive care allowed Chuck to be among his loved ones and maintain his dignity and indomitable spirit until the end. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the new NC Cancer Hospital at Rex, 2500 Blue Ridge Rd., Raleigh 27607 or Hospice of Wake County, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh 27607.