BLUEFIELD — Retired USMC Lt. Col. Edward ("Ned") Sherman Baker, Jr., 87, died Tuesday at Westwood Healthcare Center, Bluefield, Va. A direct descendant of Mayflower colonist John Alden, Mr. Baker was born in Orange, NJ on Oct. 7, 1921 to Edward Sherman Baker & Grace Bentley Lindley Baker. He graduated high school in Dedham, MA in 1939 and furthered his education at Williams College, Williamstown, MA, before enlisting in the war effort in 1942. A decorated officer, he was awarded the coveted Silver Star for gallantry in action against Japanese forces on Saipan, Marinas Islands, June 15, 1944. On V-J Day, Aug. 15, 1945, he married Alice Suzanne Travers, the younger sister of his college roommate, Jerry. For a quarter century and change, he ably served his country, through combat in Korea to the unenviable task of making "casualty calls" during the Vietnam War. Rising through the ranks to Lieutenant Colonel, he retired from military service in 1968, taking a job with Bank of Virginia. In 1976, he and his wife put their belongings in storage and embarked on extensive travels to Hawaii, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and the Philippines. In 1983, the couple rented out their Nokomis, FL, home, and hopped a plane to Spain, bought a car, and trolled through 16 European countries in less than eight months. After a decade in Florida and seven years in Richmond, VA, the nomadic couple ultimately settled in Bluefield in 1993, becoming active members of First Presbyterian Church. A gregarious storyteller, avid tennis player, and notorious card shark, Col. Baker was devoted to friends and family, God and country, the Atlanta Braves and the Washington Redskins. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife of over 60 years, Suzy; and a grandson, Jeffrey Edward Shott. Survivors include two sons, Edward S. Baker, III of Glenville, NY, and Jonathan S. Baker of Deerfield Beach, FL; one daughter, Katherine B. Shott of Bluefield; and eight grandchildren. Memorial services will be conducted Saturday, August 8, at 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, Bluefield, with Dr. W.D. Hasty officiating. The family will receive friends at the Church from 10:00 a.m. until the service hour. Interment and Military Honors will be held at Quantico National Cemetery, Triangle, VA, at a later date. The family requests that memorial contributions be made to East River Mountain Town Band, c/o 2625 Cliffmont Avenue, Bluefield, WV 24701, or to First Presbyterian Church, 208 Tazewell Avenue Bluefield, WV 24701. Mercer Funeral Home and Crematory of Bluefield is serving the Baker family.

BLUEFIELD DAILY TELEGRAM, Thurs, Aug 6, 2009