Oliver Lee Baker

Oliver Lee Baker, 97, of Mt. Airy, MD, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 4th. He leaves behind his loving wife of 76 years, Elizabeth “Betty” (King) Baker.

Born June 5, 1927, he was the oldest child of the late Earl Lee Baker and Thelma (Rinker) Baker and was preceded in death by his siblings Bess (Baker) Gladhill, Earl R. “Dick” Baker, and James C. “Jimmy” Baker.

Oliver spent his early years on the family farm, eventually farming on his own. After leaving the farm life, he worked for a number of companies operating heavy equipment. He then worked for Kettler Brothers doing home inspections until his retirement. He never got the farm life out of his system though, doing planting and other farm work for his brother-in-law Frank Gladhill and cultivating his own backyard garden until just a few years ago.

He met his wife Betty at a dance when they were in their late teens, and they continued dancing into their 90’s almost every weekend at the Moose Clubs in Westminster and Frederick. He was also a member of the Frederick Amvets, the Red Man’s Club, and the Mt. Airy Volunteer Fire Company. Oliver was one of the founding members of the Mt. Airy Saddle Pals, which is still in existence today. And he always made sure Old Granddad was in-stock at the Mt. Airy VFW.

In their 76 years of marriage, Oliver and Betty went on multiple trips and adventures across the USA and up to Alaska and Canada in their camper. They also enjoyed going on many trail and carriage rides with their beloved horses. Throughout his life, he was always ready to volunteer his time and expertise when it came to butchering hogs and making scrapple and sausage (“Don’t use too much sage!”), making a lot of friends in the process. To the staff at his doctors’ offices and other places, he was known as “The Brownie Man,” delivering his homemade brownies, much to their delight.

In addition to his wife Betty, he is survived by their children Terry Lee Baker (Cindy) of Mt. Airy, Marilyn Meagher (Brian) of Ocean City, and Darlene Wilt (Mikael) of Adamstown. He is also survived by grandchildren Valerie Shekore (Brian), Jeff Baker (Amber), Veronica Sellier (Sten), Patrick Salisbury (Vicky), and 8 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are his sister-in-law Jane Baker of Frederick, numerous nieces and nephews, a host of “adopted” sons and daughters, and many dear friends.

Special thanks to Pam Sier, Phil Rable, and Donna Ecker for their help and support, to his nurse Shirley and the rest of the caring staff at Lorien, and to BridgingLife Hospice Care. Thanks, too, to all of the people who came to visit Oliver while he was at Lorien. He certainly enjoyed your company!

The family will receive friends on Monday, October 14, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Stauffer Funeral Home, 8 E. Ridgeville Blvd, Mt. Airy, with the funeral service beginning at 1:00 PM. Inurnment will follow at Pine Grove Cemetery in Mt. Airy. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Oliver’s honor to the Mt. Airy Volunteer Fire Company, 702 N. Main St, Mt. Airy, MD, 21771, or to BridgingLIfe Hospice Care, 292 Stoner Ave, Westminster, MD, 21157.

And if you care to, raise a glass of Old Granddad, with a splash of Coke, in his honor.