Raymond Lee Baker

Raymond L. Baker, "Ray"

Ray Baker, 69, passed away at his home in Sedona, Arizona on March 1, 2011. Born in Modesto, California on Nov. 5, 1941, to Charles and Demoye Baker, he spent most of his boyhood in Barstow, California, and graduated from Barstow High School. He then moved to San Diego, working while attending San Diego State University, earning a B.S. degree in Engineering. He also attended USC, earning an M.S. degree in Civil Engineering. In 1978, he earned an M.S. Degree in Engineering Management from UCLA. He worked for the Dept. of Water and Power in Los Angeles in the early years of his discipline, working on the design of various Water and Power System structures. Ray then went to work for Southern California Edison (SCE) where over his career span, he held the positions of Design Engineer, Engineering Supervisor, and Project Engineer. After approximately 30 years with SCE, he retired, but only to return to provide Civil Engineering direction to the Unit 1 Decommissioning Project at the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS). Ray enjoyed his work at SCE, particularly during the last years at SONGS. He had an extraordinary work ethic, respected and well liked by those who worked with him. In 2009, he and his wife, Diana Ellsworth, moved from Fallbrook, California to Sedona, Arizona, where they enjoyed walking the red rock trails with their dogs. Ray was a good, kind, gentle and compassionate man, loved by many, family and friends alike. He is survived by his wife, Diana; his son, Christopher and his wife, Tammy, including two beautiful grandchildren, Jordan and Dylan; his three brothers: Charles Baker of Las Vegas, Joe Baker of San Diego, and Don Baker of Cookeville, Tenn; several nieces and nephews; and three well-loved dogs: Sunny, Sam, and Sienna. A memorial service celebrating Ray's life will be held at Greer's Mortuary in Sedona, Arizona at 1 pm on March 17, 2011. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Humane Society of Sedona, 2115 Shelby Dr., Sedona, Az 86336, on behalf of Raymond Baker and Diana Ellsworth.