Ralph was born to Ernest Ralph Baker and Violette Etta (Jacobs) Baker on Sept. 14, 1919, at home on the family farm southwest of Enid, where Vance Air Force Base is now located, and died at St. Mary's Regional Medical Center on Sunday, May 14, 2006, after a period of ill health.
After graduating from Enid High School in 1936 at the age of 16, Ralph attended Phillips University for two years and then farmed before being drafted into the Army. He was transferred to the Enid Army Air Base for his basic training, and several news articles around the country reported that "Cadet learns to fly in his own back yard," since the base now stood on his dad's former farm. He served in the Army Air Corps as a pilot and first lieutenant and flew 70 dangerous missions over "The Hump," in the China-Burma-India Theater over 17 months, having to bail out once over China. While there, he received several important commendations, including the Air Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Distinguished Flying Cross, also with one Oak Leaf Cluster. After his overseas service, he was transferred back to the states to complete his service.
Upon returning home, his sisters and mother introduced him to the church secretary, Luella Mae Davis. After a brief courtship, they married in Central Christian Church on April 14, 1946. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary just last month.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Luella; his children Danny Baker and Suzi Powell, Lindy Baker and his wife Connie, Connie Jo Collins and her husband Rick, all of Enid, and Steven Baker and his wife Kathi of Ponca City; and two sisters, Mary Ruth Cooper and Vera Sue Bunch and her husband Frank of Enid; nine grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, two infant brothers, Laverne and Duane, and two sisters, Zella Fairleigh and Ernestine Malden.
