RUSSELL BAKER OBITUARY
“As for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15
Russell Robert Baker, 89, of Oxnard, California, passed away on Saturday, August 28, 2021, at in his home in hospice care. Russell was born in Hopewell, Virginia, to Green and Alexandrina Baker on March 17, 1932. He graduated from Hopewell High School, enlisted for four years in the U. S. Air Force, and later he went on to earn an associates degree from Ventura College. He retired as a computer programmer from U.S. Naval Base, Point Mugu. He was an elder and treasurer for Oxnard Christian Church for decades, and in the last 20 years, has been an active member and treasurer for Gold Coast Church. He and his wife and family attended church every Sunday; he was involved in Sunday School teaching, taking communion to the sick and home-bound, and arranging refreshments after church. He enjoyed reading, and was always carrying either his Bible or the book he was currently reading. He and his wife, when they were physically able, would daily walk through their neighborhood. Their church people and neighbors have been a great support and consolation during this difficult time.
Russell is survived by his wife, Mary, of Oxnard; Katherine Baker, daughter, of Simi Valley; Vernon Baker, son, of Marietta, GA, and his wife, Kimberly; Stephen Baker, son, of Oxnard, and his wife, Susannah; Stuart Baker, son, of Oxnard, who resides with and has cared for both parents since 2006. Surviving grandchildren and great grandchildren: Marina Aichele, and her husband, Eric, of Ft. Wayne, IN; Ian Baker, of Marietta, GA; Laura Smith and her husband, Ed, and their children Anna, Mina, Charles, and Evelyn, of Oklahoma City, OK; Jonathan Baker, and his wife, Helen, of Woodbine, MD; and Benjamin Baker, of Oxnard, CA. He is fondly remembered by numerous nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by both parents, as well as all of his siblings: Jack Baker, Evelyn Warthan, Margaret Joswick, and Hubert Baker
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Ninos de Baja https://ninosdebaja.org/ or to the Ventura County Rescue Mission https://vcrescuemission.org/
The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Stuart Bloom, M.D., Russell and Mary’s primary care physician, for his decades-long excellent and caring service to our family; the hospice care team: Beverly Lawrence, Jose Suarez, Jon Kirby, Daniel Aguilar , and Michelle Climsby; the many doctors, nurses, and other hospital staff at Ventura Community Memorial Hospital. In addition, we are grateful to Lori Jacobsen, Darlene Fisher, and Donna Beeson, for their commitment to the well-being of our family.
Family and friends are invited to Visiting Hours from 10 am to 12 pm on Saturday, September 11, 2021 in the the JOSEPH P. REARDON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICE, 757 E. Main Street, Ventura. Funeral Services will be held in the Funeral Home Chapel at 12noon and will be officiated by Pastor Tim Kuns of Gold Coast Church. Interment with Military Honors will follow in Ivy Lawn Memorial Park, Ventura.