John "Buster" Gerald Baker

John Gerald “Buster” Baker, 84, of Stanley, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021.

He was born on May 7, 1936, in Stanley and was a son of the late John George Baker Sr. and Elsie Mae Nauman Baker.

Buster was a 1955 graduate of Stanley High School, where he served as senior class president and played basketball. He was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps. He was honorably discharged as a Corporal E-4 on Aug. 11, 1961.

He worked as maintenance foreman for ARA Virginia Skyline Company at Shenandoah National Park, retiring in 2000 with 23 years of service. He was an Eagle Scout and later served as a Scoutmaster for the Boy Scouts of America. He was a member of the Roundhead and Ridgerunners Sportsmen Clubs and played in the Old-Timers Softball League in Stanley. He attended the Mill Creek Bible Church in Stanley.

Buster enjoyed traveling with his brother, Jerry. He was proud of the fact that he visited all 50 states and Canada. He loved to hunt and fish and was an avid carpenter and electrician. He could build or make anything. He built his current home from the ground up with his own two hands.

But most of all, Buster loved his family.

On July 2, 1960, he married Mary Sue Good Baker, who survives.

Surviving in addition to his wife are a son, Robin Eric Baker and wife Tammy of Stanley; a daughter, Deborah Baker and partner David Comer of Elkton; four brothers, Roger and Jerry Wayne Baker, both of Stanley, James H. Baker of McGaheysville, and Robert S. Baker of Michigan; a sister, Deborah Ann Kocher of Waynesboro; five grandchildren, Jared Bowman, D.J. Bowman and wife Amanda, and Ryan Baker and wife Corrie, all of Stanley, Danielle Shifflett and husband Danny of Luray, and Eric Baker and wife Cheyenne of Harrisonburg; and seven great-grandchildren, Brandon Dean, and William and Zach Shifflett, all of Luray, Haley, Chloe and James Bowman, all of Stanley, and Daxton Baker of Harrisonburg. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Harland Lee and Garland L. Baker; and a half sister, Mildred Meeker.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to the VFW Comer-Jones Post 621, 218 Veterans Lane, Luray, Va. 22835.

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