Thomas Allan Baker, 84, of Hernando, died November 12, 2024 under the loving care of his family at Vitas Hospice in Lecanto, FL. Tom was born in Corvallis, Oregon on July 5, 1940 to the late Everette and Elizabeth (Gerlitz) Baker. From the age of 5 he was raised in the village of Wenatchee, Washington surrounded by the Cascade Mountains. It provided Tom with many opportunities for adventure on the weekends with his buddies and beloved horse, Scooter. He enjoyed hunting trips with his father which provided many cherished memories. Growing up, Tom enjoyed skiing and ice skating. He played football, baseball, and was the captain of his high school basketball team. After graduating in 1958, Tom attended Washington State University in Pullman, WA, majoring in pre-law and pledging Phi Delta Theta. He was also a member of ROTC. During his junior and senior years of college, Tom trained for and received a private pilot’s license. He took a semester off to live in and explore Western Europe with two of his pledge brothers. Spain was the highlight for Tom, which he found to be beautiful and friendly. After graduating college in 1963, Tom was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant completing the Infantry Officer Basic course in Ft. Benning, Georgia. He spent over three months attending Ranger and Airborne Schools. As an Airborne Ranger, Tom went on to flight school for one year at Ft. Rucker, Alabama. While there he became a Fixed Wing Aviator (MOS) and was ordered to serve as a pilot for the 24th Infantry in Augsburg, Germany for two years.
After being honorably discharged, Tom moved to Dallas, TX, and flew for Braniff Airlines. He married Lynne Bonneau in 1967 and had two sons, Thomas Allan Baker, Jr and Lincoln Everette Baker. After Braniff went bankrupt in 1982, Tom worked for Ross Perot’s company (EDS), in software Services and Electronic Data Systems. In 1985 he went back to fly for Braniff until their second bankruptcy. He then became a Captain for Australian Airlines in Melbourne, Australia. A year later he was recruited to UPS, in Louisville, Kentucky. He was promoted to Assistant Chief Pilot. Throughout Tom’s exciting career he traveled to all countries in Central and South America, London, Cologne, Dubai, UAE, Alaska, Hawaii, Mumbai, Singapore, Taiwan, Manila, Tokyo, Seoul, and Melbourne. How he loved being a world traveler!
After retiring in 2003, Tom enjoyed cruising with Lynne, golfing, and taking many extended trips on his Harley Davidson with his buddies. He also enjoyed investing and monitoring the stock market throughout his adult life.
In 2010, Tom moved to Citrus County, FL where he loved the climate, beautiful waters, fishing and the beaches. In 2013, Tom married his present wife Carissa. Together they enjoyed traveling, cruising, beaching and being members of Seven Rivers Presbyterian Church.
Tom is survived by his wife, Carissa; his sons: Thomas A. Baker, Jr., of Dallas, TX and Lincoln E. Baker and wife Stacey of Wellington, FL; eight beautiful grandchildren; Thomas III, Andrew, Lauren, Paxton, Benjamin, Lincoln Jr., Lily and Leah.
A Celebration of Life for Tom will be held on Thursday, November 21, 2024, at 10:30 AM, from the Chas. E. Davis Funeral Home, 3075 S. Florida Avenue, Inverness, FL, with Pastor Mickey Puckett officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 9:30 AM until the hour of service. Military Honors will be rendered, following the service by VFW Post #4337. Tom will be laid to rest at the Florida National Cemetery on Friday. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Wounded Warriors Project.
https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org
Arrangements are under the care of Chas. E. Davis Funeral Home With Crematory, Inverness.
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