Richard Dean Baker

Richard Dean Baker, 65, of Fort Myers, Fla., formerly of Buck Creek, died Friday morning, Aug. 12, 2011.
He was born in Lafayette on June 8, 1946, and was the son of the late James Wayne and Maxine Louise Reynolds Baker.
Mr. Baker graduated from East Tippecanoe High School in 1964 and attended Indiana State University, where he was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity.
He married Kay Anne Byers of Romney on May 6, 1967, and she survives.
He joined the military in 1966, completed flight school and basic training, and was initially stationed in Vietnam. He was a chief warrant officer 2 in the Army, 174th Assault Helicopter Company (“”Sharks””), stationed in Vietnam. He later was stationed near Stuttgart, Germany, accompanied by his wife. After an honorable discharge from the Army, he joined the Army Reserve in Indianapolis, where he served for many years. He obtained additional commercial pilot ratings for single- and multi-engine land airplanes and instrument rating.
Mr. Baker then went on to complete air traffic control training in Indianapolis, working as an air traffic controller for 14 years at towers at Indianapolis center, Alton tower, Aurora tower and Purdue University tower.
In 1984, Mr. Baker and his family moved to Fort Myers, where he worked for Lee County Mosquito Control District as a helicopter pilot, later became an inspector and an entomological aid. He also obtained his Merchant Marine officer captain&s license from the Coast Guard.
He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, boating, camping, playing cards, crossword puzzles and was a longtime fan of Purdue University basketball and football.
Surviving with his wife are a daughter, Kerri Anne Baker of Mulberry; a son, Andrew Wayne Baker of Fort Myers; two sisters, Margaret Gross (husband: Thornton) of Piedmont, S.C., and Sara Roberts Marriott of Mulberry; and a brother, Thomas Wayne Baker (wife: Carole) of Mulberry.
Also surviving are a mother-in-law, Clara Rosa Byers of Romney; 2 sisters-in-law, Mary Lou (Byers) Miller of Carmel, Calif., and Marsha Rose Byers of Romney; and nieces, nephews and cousins. Preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Patricia Lou; and a nephew, James Dean Roberts.
A visitation will be held at Soller-Baker Funeral Home in Lafayette on Saturday, Aug. 20, 2011, between the hours of 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. The funeral service will be held Aug. 21, 2011, at 2:30 p.m. by the Rev. Clayton Kendall. Interment will follow in the Fairhaven Cemetery. The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made in Richard&s name to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1154, 2660 Duncan, Lafayette, IN 47905. A memorial service will be held in Fort Myers for those who wish to attend at a later date.