Donald Joseph Baker

Don was born in Norfolk, VA on September 23, 1951 and spent his first several years living in Texas and the Azores as the son of a Naval officer and doting stay at home mother. When Don was 5 years old, the family settled in Jacksonville Florida, where Don lived until 1976. As a youth, Don loved music. He was the bass guitarist for a local band, the Epics, and was proud to be a part of the growing Jacksonville music scene of the late 60s. In 1966 he met Carol DeLander, and they soon became inseparable. They married on June 24, 1972.

Don graduated from the University of North Florida with a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in business and was a certified public accountant. He began his career with Arthur Anderson and over the years worked as a CPA, senior officer of finance, and internal auditor. In 1995, he took his love of vintage watches and his great business knowledge and launched a successful online vintage watch company, Finer Times. Finer Times was one of the first online businesses on the internet and was featured in Forbes and GQ magazine. Don finished his career in Pittsburgh, PA as Vice President, Head of Internal Audit with Crown Castle. Don retired in 2015 and he and Carol moved to Sanford, Florida to be closer to their daughters and grandchildren.

Don had many passions in life including music, the history of rock and roll, photography, and was a wine enthusiast. He and Carol also loved to travel and took many trips both in the states and internationally. Some of his favorite trips included visiting various towns and cities exploring the history of rock and roll, and traveling to the west coast vineyards with his wife and their close friends where he created amazing memories for them through his thoughtful and detailed planning and itineraries. Don also loved photography and enjoyed capturing life’s moments with his camera. He was a gifted storyteller and truly enjoyed sharing stories and trivia with others.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Ginny Baker. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Carol Baker, his daughters Wendy Berghane and Holly LaMie, his son in laws, Steve Berghane and Bryan LaMie, and his four grandchildren, whom he loved dearly, Nick Berghane, Abby Berghane. Carolyn LaMie, and Tyler LaMie all of Sanford, Florida. He is also survived by a brother Woody Malloy of Dade City, FL and Sandra Glosson of Fayetteville, NC.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, October 8th at 3pm-Church of the Incarnation in Oviedo, Florida.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations made in his name to Pet Rescue by Judy in Sanford, Florida