Major (Retired) Therman A. Baker, Sr., eighty-eight (88), was born on January 21, 1928, the sixth of eight children born to the late Rev. Henderson Baker, Sr. and Everlena (Hurley) Baker in Newcastle, Arkansas.  At the age of ten, he accepted Christ at New Shardis Baptist Church in the farming community of his birthplace (roughly thirteen miles North East of Forrest City, Arkansas).

Mr. Baker attended Lincoln High School, and afterwards earned his bachelor's degree from Arkansas AM&N College prior to entering into the U.S. Army in 1950.  While in the Army, he completed studies for his Masters' Degree in Electronic Science from the United States Armed Forces Institute.

During his military career, he served as an Electrical Engineer and an Army Security Agent (ASA).  While in the U.S. Army, he traveled to 26 different countries which included:  Eritrea, Ethiopia, Japan, Korea, Germany, Vietnam, Egypt, Israel, France, Greece, Italy, and Kenya.  During many of these trips, he served with the Military Police (MP), Criminal Investigation Department (CID), and Signal Corp.  His last overseas assignment was a Radio & Television Service (AFRTS) at Kagnew Station in Eritrea, East Africa.

Upon his retirement from the military as a field grade officer, he joined AT&T/Bell Laboratories as a fiber optic researcher where he worked alongside many talented and prominent researchers including Nobel Prize winners, Dr. Arno A. Penzias and Dr. Robert W. Wilson (who developed "The Big Bang" theory).  While at Bell Laboratories, Mr. Baker was engaged for a number of years in "cutting-edge" transatlantic fiber optic research until he retired.

Mr. Baker served as a Trustee and Sunday School Teacher at the Mt. Pisgah Baptist Temple, Asbury Park, NJ, and later became a Charter Member of, and a Sunday School Teacher at, United Fellowship Baptist Church, Asbury Park, NJ.  Mr. Baker was a member of United Fellowship Baptist Church for thirty (30) years.

Some of his community volunteer work included serving as: Boy Scouts leader, Soccer/Basketball/Little League coach, an official of the Neptune Democratic Club, Volunteer Photographer for many organizations (including the Neptune Senior Citizens Center), a member of the American Legion Frederick Dempsey Post 266 (Neptune, NJ), and a member of the Neptune Television Cable Committee.   In addition, he was a Freemasons and member of the George W. Prioleau Masonic Lodge #13, of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, Jurisdiction of Arizona, in Huachuca City, Arizona.

His passions were: spending time with his family (especially his granddaughter, Nia), cruising in his convertibles along the Jersey Shore or in local parades, collecting and restoring antique cars, taking cross-country trips in his RV, traveling to interesting places around the world (including South Africa, Eritrea, Senegal, and Kenya), appreciating nature, photography, electronics, promoting Black History education at the Neptune Township Senior Citizens Center, cooking, fishing, and hunting.

His Mottos were: (1) If one doesn't stand for something, she/he will fall for anything, (2) Help our young people to be proud of their origins, and (3) Stand for what you believe in, even if you must stand alone.

He was predeceased by his parents, Rev. Henderson Baker Sr. and Everlena (Hurley) Baker; former spouses, Alberta R. Baker and Joyce M. Baker; sisters, Cora, Anna, Rose, Katie Mae and Evelyn; brothers, Phillip and Sherman.

He is survived by his son, Therman A. Baker, Jr., Esq.; daughter-in-law, Dr. Nicole V. Lang; one granddaughter, Nia Alexandria Berhanna Baker; one sister-in-law, Johnnie B. Baker; and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.