Tommy Ronald Baker

Tommy R. Baker, age 84 of Rutherfordton, NC peacefully passed on Thursday, July 13, 2023, at his home after courageously battling Parkinson’s Disease for eight years.  Born in Knoxville, Tennessee, he was the son of James Ronald and Alberta Cate Baker.  He was preceded in death by his parents and youngest brother, Michael Baker. 

He is survived by his loving wife of 32 years, Lynda Baker; his brother, Robert Baker (Andrea Tebbets) of Raleigh, NC; his children, Kristi Steinberg (Doug) of Reston,VA, Laura Criswell (Harry III) of Potomac, MD, Carmen Emerson and William Davis of Albany, GA; and grandchildren, Harry Criswell IV, Charles Criswell, Sarah Criswell, Ryan Emerson and Bennet Emerson.

Tom met and maintained lifelong friends at Bearden High School class of 1957 where he played football, basketball and ran track.  Hardly a day went by without trading jokes and stories with his cherished friends. He was a member of Hi-Y and worked as a camp counselor at YMCA Montvale Camp during the summers.  He then attended East Tennessee State University and the University of Tennessee.  Tom spent his career in Marketing and Sales Management with Air Products & Chemicals, Inc., British Oxygen Corporation, Coloplast, Inc., and later with Voluntary Hospitals of America with whom he managed multiple hospital-owned physician practices in Georgia and North Carolina. Through his work, he spent many years traveling and living in Tennessee, Georgia, Kansas, Washington, DC, Wisconsin, Florida and ultimately finding his forever home in Rutherfordton, NC. 

During their retirement years, Tom and Lynda owned and operated “The Wine Shop” in their hometown of Rutherfordton for fifteen years and together they hosted many wine tastings in Highland, Hickory and Asheville, NC.

Tom ran in long distance races, enjoyed 1950s music as well as Bluegrass and was an expert griller.  He was a great conversationalist and had a beautiful singing voice, deriving much joy in singing with his friends and children. He loved all animals great and small, adopting 10 cats during his lifetime. Tom was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, friend, and mentor to many and will be dearly missed by all. 

Tom and his family are very thankful to Dr. Phillip Whitworth, his entire staff, Eli Carson, Wendy Bennett, Pat Logan, and all of his Cleveland County Hospice caregivers, especially Shanna Ervin and Brandy Stroud for their warm-hearted kindness and exceptional care.

The funeral service will be held at 2 o’clock on Monday, July 17, 2023, in The Padgett and King Chapel with the Reverend Leslie Bush officiating.  The family will receive friends from 1 until 2 o’clock prior to the service at the mortuary.  Private entombment will take place at Alexander Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be to the following charities,

The Michael J. Fox Foundation for the Treatment of Parkinson’s at, www.michaeljfox.org/donate-now, The Community Pet Center (Rutherford County), 861 Piney Ridge Road, Forest City, NC 28043, https//www.communitypetcenter.com/donate/,  Paws Up Anima Rescue (1-888-422-7303) or Heart of the Foothills Animal Rescue, 380 US 221 N, Rutherfordton, NC 28139, www.heartofthefoothills.org.donate.

The Padgett and King Mortuary & Crematory is in charge of arrangements and an online guest registry is available at www.padgettking.com 

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.