Donald Ray “Doc” Baker Jr., 65, was born into this world July 1, 1954, and passed on Thursday, March 12, 2020, at his family home in Roxobel, North Carolina, with his wife of 45 years, Helen Baker, by his side.
Ray is survived by his sister, Connie Mitchum (Joseph); brother, David Baker Sr. (Lisa); three children, Eddie Barker, and his wife, Emily, Tina Ashley, and her husband, Roger, and Tammy Meyer; nine grandchildren, Cody Ashley, and his wife, Hailey, Aspen Barker, Hunter Ashley, John Barker, River Barker-Neil, Nathaniel Ashley, Madison Ashley, Charles Meyer, Jacob Ashley and Wynter Supplee; two great-grandchildren, Nickolas Ashley and Audrey Doss; uncle, Charles White, and his wife, Charlotte; aunts, Virginia Wilson and Anna Mae Castagna; and grand-dog, Roscoe, Ray’s buddy, who knew when Ray showed up he was getting a biscuit.
The constant jester, Ray will always be remembered for his warm smile and sharp wit and lighthearted singing to all within hearing. Many nieces and nephews will remember him as Uncle Dopey.
Ray was born in Edgecombe County, North Carolina, the son of Viva and Donald Ray Baker Sr. and grew up in Hampton. Ray faithfully served the Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company from 1974 to 2015 as an outdoor machinist achieving master craftsman. He served in the U.S. National Guard for six years from 1976 to 1982.
Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m., Thursday, March 19, at Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home, 2551 Armistead Ave., Hampton, with visitation for family beginning at 12:30 p.m. The family will be receiving friends beginning at 1 p.m.
Share online condolences with the family at Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home.
