Obituary of Bobby Lee Baker

ORANGE Bobby Lee Baker HILLSBOROUGH — Bobby Lee Baker, 75, passed away surrounded by his family on the evening of December 5. Bobby was born on February 27, 1938, and has spent the majority of his life in the gorgeous countryside of Orange County. He has lived the last 50-plus years residing in the Orange Grove Community, Dairyland Road, Hillsborough, N.C. Until his retirement, his history of employment over time included early experience in the Printing Department of UNC and Printing and Electronic Systems with Pitney Bowes, Inc., followed by years of community service that included South Orange Rescue Squad and services, Orange Grove Voluntary Fire Company and services, and Director of Emergency Services for Orange County. Bobby was part founder/originator of the first existence of centralized 911 emergency dispatch services including both fire and rescue for Orange County; as well as being part founder of Orange Grove Voluntary Fire Company and one of the early members of South Orange Rescue. He was a quiet and honorable man, recognized for his service in supporting the care of many lives in his tenure with emergency work in the county. In his following years of retirement, it was his systems experience and unique ability to simplify complex and intricate detail that allowed him to enjoy the rebuilding of antique tractors from what would be a box of scrap metal to a showcase model. Bobby and his wife, Margaret, of 59 years were blessed to enjoy their home place property, developed by him, surrounded by rolling grass, gardens, grapevines, fruit trees, and a fishing pond. They also shared for many years a small property at Bogue Sound in Atlantic Beach surrounded by friends, and boating and fishing in the beautiful coastal waters. He had a tremendous love for the outdoors, from sunup to sundown. Whether it be bird-watching, building, landscaping, gardening or fishing, Bobby never missed an opportunity to be outside with his face to the sun. Bobby is survived by his wife, Margaret A Baker; his children: Anita B. Pope of Durham, N.C., Sharon K. Bone of New Canaan, Conn., Rick J Baker and wife Teri of Conway, S.C., Beverly A Lankford and husband Reid of Durham, N.C.; his grandchildren: Brittany Bradley and husband Jonathan, Ryan and Jessica Bone, Jeremy and Ciara Baker; and one of his newest joys, great-grandson Declan Bradley; as well as his brother, Willie Baker and wife Margaret Baker of Creedmoor, N.C. The family wishes to thank the community of Orange Grove for friendship and support of him and the family over the years, and to thank the 7th Floor Nursing Staff of Duke Regional Hospital in Durham, N.C., for their attentive and passionate care in his final days of struggle, and ultimate rest. A service of remembrance will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, December 8, at Cane Creek Baptist Church, 6901 Orange Grove Road, Hillsborough, NC 27278, followed by a reception to be held at Orange Grove Fire Station, 6800 Orange Grove Road. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Orange Grove Voluntary Fire Company, 6800 Orange Grove Road. Please be sure to include "In Memory of Bobby Lee Baker" on the memo line of your check in order for the family to receive proper notification. Online condolences may be made at www.walkersfuneralservice.com Walker's Funeral Home of Chapel Hill is assisting the Baker Family.