Ronald L. Baker

Ronald L. "Ron" Baker, age 91, of Maumee, OH, formerly of Park Ridge, IL, died Saturday, March 8, 2025 at The Toledo Hospital. He was born August 24, 1933 in Blue Rapids, KS to C. L. and Fern Baker. He graduated from Blue Rapids High School and Kansas State University where he served as President of his Fraternity Sigma Phi Epsilon. Ron lettered in four sports all four years of High School and was Quarterback of the football team. His letter jacket is in the Historical Museum of Blue Rapids, KS. During the summers of his college years, he taught swimming lessons and was life guard at the Blue Rapids pool.

Ron met his wife, Janet Kennedy, in 1956 when they were Best Man and Maid-of-Honor in their friends' wedding. Ron and Jan were married in 1957 in the Presbyterian Church of Blue Rapids. They were married 68 years and have two children: Jeff Baker and David Baker. He had five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Ron was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Janet Kennedy Baker; his sons, Jeff Baker and David (Emily) Baker and the grandchildren, Charles Baker, James (Maddy) Baker, Kailey Baker, Kendra (Joey) Snyder and Olivia Baker and five great-grandchildren.

Ron served in the U.S. Army from 1957 to 1960 which included two and a half years in Germany where his wife accompanied him. While in Europe they traveled to many countries enjoying the history and beauty of each. One of the highlights of their travels was the journey to Brussels, Belgium to attend the World's Fair. Germany, Austria and Switzerland were counted as the favorites. After serving in the Army, Ron worked for A.C. Nielsen Marketing Research Company in Evanston and Northbrook of the Northwest suburbs of Chicago. His company promotions took him to Sioux City, IA, North Miami Beach, FL, and Park Ridge, IL, where he retired as a Company Vice President in the Clearing House Division.

Ron had a great faith and he truly loved the Lord. He taught Sunday School and held leadership positions in the churches where he was a member: Sioux City, Hollywood, FL, and Park Ridge, IL. Most recently, Ron attended Monclova Road Baptist Church where he served on the Mission Committee.

Ron had a wonderful sense of humor, he had many friends and knew no enemies. He was admired and a loving inspiration to all who knew him. He loved to joke and tease and he was good at it. He never wanted to hurt anyone's feelings. He loved the time he spent with men from church every Thursday morning at breakfast in a local restaurant.

Ron enjoyed reading and meditating on his daily devotions and always was doing cross-word puzzles.

All of his family was adored by him and he left very loving memories with his sons and grandchildren. He was the happiest when all of our family was together and he knew our relationships were strong.

As a child and teenager, Ron did a lot of fishing and hunting with his Dad and Grandfather. He loved the outdoors and referred to our wooded lot as his "Woods" where he had a burn pit and a nearby garden.

Ron was always an avid sports fan. He loved watching on T.V. any sport that was in season, but especially basketball and football. Ron coached his sons’ teams in their early years of participating in sports. He was a faithful fan and encouraging father as his sons excelled in Basketball and Track. Never did he miss a game or event. It just came natural for him to be a fan of the Chicago Teams: Cubs, Bulls and Bears in that we lived in the suburbs of Chicago for 45 years. He remained a fan even after leaving Chicago. Ron followed closely his and his son's Alma Maters: Kansas State University and Texas Christian University (TCU).

In the northwest suburban area of Chicago, Ron was a Basketball official in the Elementary, Junior High and High School levels. He loved teaching and officiating the young people, and officiated for 33 years.

Per the wishes of the family there will be no visitation or services.

We know God will help us and strengthen us to stand firm "Weeping may remain for a night, but Joy comes in the morning." Psalm 30 and 31

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