Tsgt. Terry Baker, Usaf (Ret.)

TSgt.Terry Lee Baker, USAF (ret.),  74, of Navarre, Florida, was called home to the Lord on January 19, 2021.  Terry was born on December 4, 1946, in Harlan, Kentucky.   Terry met the love of his life, Mary Lou Sizemore Baker, the day he returned home from Vietnam, and as their love story goes, he famously told her that they were getting married exactly 5 days later.  This past November, they celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary.   Terry and Mary Lou spent the past 50 years devoted to each other, and with the only exception of Terry’s military service, they were never apart and were truly one another’s very best friend, setting a perfect example for both their family and anyone that touched their lives.

Terry was a Vietnam Veteran and retired as a TSgt Air Force Reserves.   He spent his military career working as a Gunner on AC-130A Spectre Gunships as part of the 919 Special Operations Wing of the 711th Special Operations Squadron.   He traveled the world as both active duty and as a reservist and was proud of his service to his country.

Terry was a devoted husband, father, brother, son, and grandfather. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, and a ranked sharpshooter.  He enjoyed collecting guns in his retirement and loved passing both his respect for and skill with weapons along to his children and grandchildren.  His favorite thing to do was spend time with his family, and any time surrounded by them was, to him, perfection.   He cherished watching his grandchildren grow into adults and was eagerly awaiting the birth of his first great-grandchild.

Terry is preceded in death by his parents Virgil and Lillie Baker, his oldest grandson Jacob Demler, and his sister, Sherry Lynn Fox and her husband Steve Fox and his beloved mother in law Nora Rutledge.

Those left behind to cherish his memory include his wife Mary Lou Baker, daughter Nora Stout & son in law Brian Stout of Lewisville, Texas.  His son Virgil Baker & daughter in law Crici Baker of Gulf Breeze, Florida.  His brother Jerry Ben & sister in law Diane Baker, his sister Becky & brother in law Bill Coffey.   Grandchildren Katherine Baker & husband Joshua August, Alura Sarnecki, Logen Baker, Joshua Baker- Lawson, Jarrod Baker- Lawson, Kristopher Baker.

The funeral service will begin at 2:00 pm, Friday, January 22, 2021, at the Rose Lawn Funeral Home 2942 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Gulf Breeze, Fl. 32563.   Pastor Dan Schenck will officiate.