Harold Keith Baker

On Thursday, 3/31/2011, Keith unexpectedly, but peacefully passed away at home while watching the golf channel in his favorite recliner. Keith, 59, was born in Portsmouth, VA, where most of his family still lives. Keith was involved in personal fitness his entire life, retiring in 1999. He started up and managed many of the gyms in the Wilmington area. The number of lives Keith touched are too many to count. His smile and demeanor put everyone at ease and left them with a smile, themselves. Although Keith was with us such a short time, he accomplished so much. If you ever met Keith, you'd never forget him. Keith had so much love for everyone, but so much for his family, his wife, and especially for his daughter. Keith was predeceased by his parents, Otho M. Baker and Laura G. Baker, and a brother, James M. Baker. Keith is survived by his wife and best friend, Beth and his daughter, Nicole in Wilmington, NC. Surviving brothers and sisters include Otho J. Baker Evelyn, Carol Loyer Harold, and Ruth Baker, all of Virginia; sister, Vel Nottingham George of Texas; brother-in-laws, Peter Youngren Kathy of Arizona, and Harold Younger of Maine; sister-in-law, Susan Youngren Geppi of Maryland. Keith also had many nieces and nephews whom he loved. From Virginia, Jay Baker, Barbara Ann Jones, Joanne Baker Salisbury Chuck, Jimmy Baker, Lara Mortimer Leon and John Jones. From Texas, Brooke and Brent Nottingham. From Maryland, Katherine and Christopher Geppi, and from Maine, Noah and Nathaniel Youngren. In lieu of flowers, please do something special with those you love. In celebration of Keith's wonderful life, there will be a ""Celebration of Life"" gathering at the Masonboro Forest clubhouse, located just inside Masonboro Forest, on Friday, April 8, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Dress casually as Keith would want and come with smiles, not tears and lots of good stories to share about this amazing man who touched us all.