Charles E. Baker

Charles E. Baker, age 90, died peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday, June 15, 2022.  He was born May 13, 1932 in Hondo, Texas to William and Viola Baker and was the youngest of five children.  Soon after, his family moved to Taft, Texas where Charles grew up.  After graduating from Taft High School, he enlisted in the Air Force.  He served in the Korean war and then was stationed in Alexandria, Louisiana. It was there that he met the love of his life, an outspoken, spunky woman named Pauline.  She was working at a Walgreens on New Year’s Eve and it was love at first sight for this mild-mannered man.  After a brief courtship, they were married on February 28, 1953 (and celebrated 65 years of marriage).  After Charles completed his service in the Air Force, he and Pauline settled in Taft where they raised their three children.  He worked for Reynolds Metals in Aransas Pass until his retirement.

Living in the country and near the water, Charles loved to garden and fish.  After his retirement, he had trot lines in the bay behind his house that he checked multiple times a day and there was never a shortage of seafood in their home. But he was most proud of the harvest his massive gardens would produce-and neighbors would look forward to the harvest as well.  Every year, Charles would set up a table in his front yard with beautiful home grown produce and a coffee can with a dollar sign on it.  He trusted that those who had the resources would pay for the vegetables they took, and those who couldn’t pay would be helped by his offering. He was never disappointed, people always left money for the fruits of his labor.

Charles was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Pauline Baker.  He is survived by his three children, Charles E. “Eddie” Baker, Gary W. Baker, and Kathi Baker Harris.  He will be missed by his grandchildren, Charles E. “Chuck” Baker, Jessica Villanueva, Katrina Baker, Megan Mullins, Chelsea Long, Kelsey Collins, and Kevin Harris who learned much from his gentle demeanor. Also surviving Charles are numerous great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 9:30AM on Thursday, June 23, 2022 at Winstead Funeral Home in Portland, Texas.  Following the service, interment will be conducted at 11:00AM at Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery in Corpus Christi, Texas where he will be laid to rest with his love, Pauline. 

Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of the professionals at Winsteads’ Funeral Home. (361) 643-6564 www.winsteadsfuneralhome.com