Raymond Bradford Baker
Raymond Bradford Baker (Ray) Born October 22nd 1949 in Dodgeville Wisconsin, formerly of Mineral Point, WI passed away in His home of Wisconsin Dells surrounded by family on the night of January 19th, 2022, after a 2-year long battle. Ray or Brad as most people called him loved to work in his garden, watch football, was an avid baseball fan, and taught all his children to play baseball and or softball. He very much enjoyed being with his grandchildren and having the opportunity to teach them something new every chance he could. He was a well-recognized leader in the Four Lakes Council of troop 62 in the Boys Scouts of America where he mentored many young men on how to survive the outdoors and on being a good citizen. His love for music helped him create a plethora of songs and poems about his tour in Vietnam which some can be found on the Facebook page at Rays R&R. He served a tour in the United States Marine Corps, in Vietnam where he served as a Grenadier near the DMZ from 1969-1970. After returning from his tour he worked at a feed mill and then went on to find a career in auto repair as a mechanic for 46 years. He is survived by his large loving family of five brothers William Allen Baker, Jr., Robert (Bob) Baker, Britton (Britt)(Kim) Baker, Barton (Bart)(Cindy) Baker, and Bruce (Tasha) Baker, and three sisters, Shirley (Glynn) Quincy, Jean (Eric) Thornton-Baker, and Sidney (Bill) Schmitz. He was preceded in death by his wife, Carla (Heine) Baker, Father William Allen (Bill) Baker, Sr., Mother Barbara (Barb) Baker (Crayton), one brother Charles Bengerman Baker (Ben), one sister Shelly McCarville, and Sister-In-Law Kaye Heine, and his Mother-In-Law Elna Heine. He is survived by his three sons Jeremy (Heather) Baker, Jeret (Jami) Baker, and Joseph (Tinley) Baker, two daughters Michelle (Todd) Baker, Kara (Brian) Ludlum, eight grandchildren, Danielle (Zachary) Wiltzius, Nathan Popanz, Jordon Ludlum, Paige Baker, Lilliana Baker, Haiden Baker, Jaiclyn Baker, and Wendi Baker, and two great-grandchildren Xane and Asuna Wiltzius, Brother In-Laws William (Bill) McCarville and Greg Heine, and Sister-In-Law Linda (Dale) Schroeder, and several nieces and nephews. He elected not to have a formal funeral service however there will be a celebration of life at a date to be determined most likely in Spring 2022 at the family farm in Wisconsin Dells.
So very sorry to hear of Brad’s passing. He was a good friend and classmate. You have m sympathy Baker family. Rest in peace dear Brad. Christine Grange Heins
Extending my sincere sympathy to the family. The loss of a family member and friend is so difficult. Love and peace to all.
To my brother Brad and his childern. He was one of 6 younger brothers that I had. He was the oldest of my younger brothers. He was a Marine as was I and also our father. Brad was a very good Marine, tough physically and mentally. Many people never understood the make up of a Marine. They are drilled to be always looking forward regardless of the adversity they faced. Marines are drilled to believe there is nothing they can’t overcome if you think positive, work as a team, and as the saying goes do something even if it’s wrong. You leave no man behind, wounded or dead. For the life of me I can’t remember the Generals name now but a battalion of Marines was in North Korea during that war at the Chosen Reservoir (known as the Frozen Chosen). It was in December in the sub zero weather of North Korea just south of the Chines Border. The Communits Chines entered the war in support of North Korea with 10 Batalions of the Red Army. They totally surrounded the Marine Battalion. The General got up in front of his men and gave this speech and I’m paraphrasing because I can’t remember the exact wording. “Men we are surrounded by 10 Battalions of the Red Army. We are out of supplies we have no way of getting any in here and there are no reinforcements coming to save us. We are not going to retreat we are going to fight our back to the south and we are taking every Marin with us able bodied, wounded, and dead. The good news men is we’ve got those Son-of-bitches right where we want them”! That is how a Marine views life. One other thing a Marine is taught is that “pain is just weakness leaving the body”! I’m taking the time to explain all this in hopes that many will understand what the make up of Brad was. All of this made him love and value his family, friends, country, and life as a precious gift that needed to be loved, cherished, and honored in the best way he knew how. That is the basic Marine Corps Creed. Sipri Fiedelis or Sipri Fi which means always faithful. Seperi Fi Brad a good Marine, a good father, and a good man that made his country, his friends, and his family proud of him. May you rest in peice brother. Your brother Bill. Make it a good day to all of you that read this!
I offer my condolences to my friend JP and his family. I can’t imagine what you’re all going through, but I know what it’s like to lose a father. You will certainly all be okay.
I enjoyed the conversations we had, and wisdom Ray was always willing to share. Thoughts and prayers for each of you, as you move to the next chapter of Uncle Brad’s story. We were all blessed to have him in our lives, and he will be greatly missed. Love You All.
So sorry for your loss. I was glad I got know him for the short time that I did.
Thoughts and prayers.
Brad was a quiet sole and will be missed. I haven’t seen him much in the last few years but always enjoyed talking with him. My sympathy to all his family.
So sorry for the loss of a great person, friend, father and grandfather. He will be missed by all of us. He was a great cousin to have! I will miss him.