Obituary of Richard Thomas Baker

CARTHAGE – Richard Thomas Baker, 95, formerly of 435 South James St., died early Wednesday morning at the Country Manor Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, where he had been a patient since 2014. Born at home in Champion on the Stoddard Rd., on October 27, 1920 the son of the late Forest & Catherine Amy Wood Baker; he graduated from Copenhagen High School in 1937. He served as a Technical Sargent in the Army Air Corps during World War II. He rode the Queen Elizabeth from New Jersey to England after being drafted in August of 1942; he flew 30 combat missions from England to Germany as a top turret gunner. He returned home in 1945. During his four year duty Richard collected the Distinguished Flying Cross and air metal with four clusters. He carried a cigarette lighter made from pieces of Flak and .50 Cal shells as a good luck piece. He then married Rose Agnes Spencer in Utica in 1949. He was employed by the Teamsters and worked for Buckley Motor Express from 1949 -1969 and D.L. Reed Trucking from 1969 until his retirement in 1983. Mrs. Baker died in 1984. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, watching baseball and telling stories. He was a member of the National Rifle Association, a 62 year member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #7227, Carthage and a 26 year member of the American Legion Post #789, Carthage. Richard is survived by his step-son, Leland Spencer and family, North Carolina; his sister, Genevieve Baker, Watertown, his sister in law, Beulah Baker, Copenhagen and several nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his brothers, Winifred (Murph), William (Bill) and Leo Baker. A funeral service with Military Honors will be held on Sunday, February 7th at 4:00 PM in the Chapel of the Lundy Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Inc., 500 State St., Carthage. Calling hours will be held prior to the service, from 2:00 – 4:00 PM. Burial will be in the spring at the families' convenience in St. Mary's Cemetery, Copenhagen. Memorial donations in his name may be made to the American Legion Post #789, 415 West St., Carthage or the VFW Post #7227, 668 West End Ave., Carthage, NY 13619. Online condolences may be made at www.lundyfuneralhome.com.