Obituary of Ray O. Baker

Ray O. Baker March 06, 1924 - February 25, 2017 Funeral services for Ray O. Baker, 92, of Hobbs, NM will be held on Wednesday, March 1, 2017 at 2:00 pm at Kirby-Smith-Rogers Funeral Home Chapel with Jay Carey officiating. Burial will follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Hobbs, NM. Mr. Baker was born on March 6, 1924 in Dimmitt, TX to Andrew Jackson and Ethel (Fowlkes) Baker and passed away at Desert Gardens in Hobbs on February 25, 2017. Ray was the last living child of ten children. He married Helen Marie Hunt in 1946 and they shared sixty plus years together. He later married Geraldine Hawthorne eight years ago. Ray joined the US Army and served his country and then made his home in Hobbs for sixty three years. He was an amazing photographer and won many awards for his airbrush paintings. He was a big worker in the Friendship Center, helping the homeless and witnessing to any and all. He lived the life of a devout Christian and was always doing for others, helping them when he could. He was also a great Bible scholar and enjoyed the old gospel songs. He was at the church anytime the door was open. Ray raised his children with love and was a terrific father. He was preceded in death by his parents, both of his wives and one son. Surviving him are his two children: Randy and wife Jean Baker of Laguna Woods, CA and Brenda and husband John McBeth of Universal City, TX; three grandchildren: Scott and Rosealie McBeth of San Antonio, Kristi and husband Michael Dabey of San Antonio and Lisa Dawn Baker of Austin, TX and one great-grandchildren: John Taylor McBeth and a host of friends.