Jerry E. Baker, age 80, of Orlando, Florida passed away on Friday, October 13, 2023, after a long battle with Parkinson's disease. He was born on December 3, 1942, in Washington, Indiana, to his late parents, Edward and Dorothy (Solomon) Baker.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Richard Baker. He is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of 57 years, Mary (Myers) Baker, daughter Julie Baker (Leesburg), son Jay Baker (Orlando), son-in-law Chris Small, and grandsons Cameron and Grant.
Jerry served in the United States Navy aboard the USS Independence (CVA-62) as a radioman in the early-60s. He was involved in the Cuban Missile Crisis in late 1962. Jerry then attended and graduated from Indiana State University. He and Mary moved to Orlando in 1971 where they raised their two children and enjoyed the sunny weather, boating and playing golf in their free time. Jerry retired in the early 2000s from Lockheed Martin after 30 years of employment. During his retirement, he and Mary enjoyed golfing, boating and traveling around the U.S. before his disease began to take its toll.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jerry's name can be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation to hopefully find a cure for Parkinson's one day.