Earl Ray Baker, 87, went to be with the Lord on March 18, 2017. A native of Norfolk, he was the son of the late Starkey Andrew and Etta Lee Spry Baker. Retiring as Sergeant First Class of the U. S. Army, he served in the First Ranger Company in the Korean War and in the 82nd Airborne, Special Forces, Green Beret in the Vietnam War. He attended Indian River Baptist Church.

Surviving are his wife of 65 years, Myrtle S. Baker; two daughters, Karen B. Nichols and her husband, Bob and Claudia P. Broderick and her husband, Tom; three grandchildren, Patrick and his wife, Brittany; Elizabeth; and Ashley and her husband, Danny; three great-grandchildren, Eli, Layla and Maddox; and a nephew, Mitchell Cutrell and his wife, Claudette.

A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, March 21, 2017 at 12 Noon at Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial State Veterans Cemetery, Suffolk. Following the service, the family will receive friends at the home of Karen and Bob Nichols. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Indian River Baptist Church, 1600 Laurel Avenue, Chesapeake, VA 23325. Graham Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Chesapeake is caring for arrangements. Please visit www.grahamfuneralhome.com to leave a condolence to the family.