Cecil William Baker, Jr.

Yorktown, Va. – Cecil William Baker, Jr., born February 29, 1944, went peacefully to his rest on the morning of September 19, 2026.He was surrounded by his loving wife of thirty years, Betty-Gail Baker, and his daughters, Gina Montanaro and Tammy Fiorintino, in his home in Yorktown. Along with his wife and daughters, he is survived by his son Cecil William III “Rocky” and step-sons Kirk Giles & John Smith, ten grandchildren, and 30 great-grandchildren. Also surviving him are his brothers Donald Baker (Dale), Kenny Baker (Barbara), Bob Baker, Richard Baker (Terry), Robin Baker, and sisters Delores Fiscella & Sylvia Bassett, along with many nieces and nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his brother Johnny and sister-in-law Brenda.
We long for the day when we are reunited with our beloved
Ceceil, never to part again.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday September 26, 2026 at 2:00 PM in Amory Funeral Home Chapel. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

 

Cecil William Baker, Jr., was born in Nash County, North Carolina, to Cecil and Mamie Baker, on February 29, 1944. He was the third child born to the family and was raised rough-housing and making mischief with his brothers and cousins in the countryside. When he was 16, he filled out the form to join the army, saying that he was born in 1943 to make himself of proper age. The lady at the enlistment office told him to come back when he was old enough- reminding him that February 29 comes only once every four years.  The next year he enlisted and served for three years of active duty, as a paratrooper, as a part of the 82nd Airborne Division and was deployed to Korea before being honorably discharged in 1967. During these years his two daughters, and later a son, were born.

Always a hard worker, he applied for a job at the shipyards in Newport News after leaving active duty, calling tenaciously every day to see if a job was available. Finally, they said there was a job, and when he asked how one had happened to open up, they replied: We found one to get rid of you!

While working in the shipyard, he started doing electrical work, moving on to Langley NASA and later starting his own company, Baker Electric, in the early 80s. Cecil belonged to the local IBEW for many years, and earned his Master Electrician certification in the 90s, keeping his license current up until the day he died. He was so proud of his accomplishments in the field.

One of his life long passions was stock car racing as most of you know. He raced in street division at Langley Speedway for many years. In 2000, he bought another car after years of being out of the sport for several years and planned to drive it himself. He was quickly persuaded that he should find a younger man to get behind the wheel and race for him, and spent years as an owner under Baker Racing.

The Lord brought Betty Gail and Cecil together at a pivotal time in their lives- to save each other, Betty Gail says. Cecil had experienced hard times in his life and it was at this point, with Betty Gail by his side, that he began dedicating himself to reestablishing relationships and living a happy, full life. They spent their life together as closest of companions, along with their three beloved pups- his “little girls”, Tiffany, Chloe, and Mia. Beach trips, Camping, Birthdays were all enriched by the time spent together with his children and grandchildren, friends, siblings, and cousins, and later great grandchildren, who adored him and looked forward to the visits that would often include a nerf gun battle. They knew him to be loving, funny, mischievous, and always there for his family and friends. Hardworking always, his quiet hours at home were spentin their garage or as a grandkid put it- his “habitat”.

In his final days, though dealing with pain, he told Betty Gail that he “just wanted to go camping one more time”, knowing that those trips with her and their pups, and often kids and grandkids along too, were some of the most precious memories of all our lives.

In the last few hours he spent on earth, he told his family he wanted to go to Heaven and told Jesus that he loved Him.

Betty Gail and his daughters were there at his side as he passed peacefully to his rest.

Through all the trials and valleys of his life, Cecil persevered and finally found his joy and fulfillment in the hearts of his loving wife, his family and cherished friends and neighbors. We cherished all the beautiful times we spent with Cecil and we long for the day when we are all reunited in Heaven, where pain and sadness and separation will never exist again.