The Reverend Charles M. (Chuck) Baker, Jr. of Smyrna, Delaware, age 79, passed away on July 11, 2024. Chuck was born on October 10, 1944, in Wilmington, Del., to Charles M. Baker, Sr. and Lillian May Baker (Jensen), both originally of Ithaca, N.Y. Chuck and his two older sisters attended a one-room school in Landenberg, Pa., then moved to Newark, Del., and graduated from Newark High School.

As a teen Chuck caddied at the Louviers Golf Club, often carrying two bags on the hilly course. He and served honorably in the United States Air Force for four years posting both in the U.S. and abroad in Spain and Greece. Upon discharge, he attended the University of Delaware, where he earned a bachelor's degree. He held a number of positions in South Carolina and New York, most notably for Eastman Kodak.

While in South Carolina, he got the calling to become clergy and attended the Virginia Theological Seminary, where he was ordained as an Episcopal Deacon in the Diocese of South Carolina on June 11, 1987. A year later, he was ordained to the Priesthood on June 19, 1988, and took his first clergy position at St. Peter's by the Sea and later served at St. Mary's in Goose Creek, S.C. He then moved to Connecticut to serve at St. David's Episcopal Church in Gales Ferry from 2000-2010, where he was instrumental in developing the Emmaus program for teens and the expansion of the church itself.  His last church before retirement was Trinity Episcopal Church in Brooklyn, Ct., from 2012-2016. In retirement, he moved to Smyrna, Del., to be closer to his siblings and he served as a supply priest for both St. Stephen's in Harrington and St. Peter's in Smyrna. He truly found his calling and was loved by his many parishioners.

Chuck is survived by his son Keith Baker, wife Cindy and children Kayla and Christian of St. Matthew's S.C.; daughter Laura Tesh of Greenville S.C., brother Douglas Baker and wife Diane Kukich of Newark, Del.; sister Madeleine Barbour of Royce City, Tx.; and several nephews. He was predeceased by his mother and father, his sister Beverly McLain, formerly of Smyrna, and his beloved Belgian Malinois, Kasey, who was his devout traveling companion. We will miss him dearly but know he is no longer in pain.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, July 18th, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 22 N. Union St., Smyrna, Del., Mother Donna Jean Kiessling officiating.

Interment with full military honors will be held Thursday August 8, at 11:00 a.m. at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Bear, Del.

In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Smyrna in his honor.

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Arrangements are by Matthews–Bryson Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Smyrna.