Garland Ray Baker Sr. (Ray), age 86, of Russellville, passed from this life Tuesday, January 12, 2021, at Washington Regional Hospital in Fayetteville. He was a perfect example of a Godly son, father, and PaPa. He was the youngest of five children of Jasper and Nevada Baker. He was born April 8th, 1934, at Robertstown Community, near Morrilton, in Conway County.

He is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 66 years, Glenna Ruth Virden Baker; two brothers, Cecil and Eugene Baker; two sisters, Ruby Goodwin and Jean Waddle; one grandchild, Garland Ray Baker III; and a great-niece, Lisa Cothern.

He is survived by his daughters, Mary Ann Baker (Kenny Jackson), and Cynthia (Cindy) Ruth Walker (Tom); a son, Garland Ray Baker Jr. (Tammy), all of Russellville; one brother, Charles Lester Baker of Morrilton; five grandchildren, Lindsey Nichole Bartlett (Brent), of Russellville, Sarah Brooks-Ann Walker, of Bentonville, Whitney Baker Davison (Cole) of Stephenville, Texas, Jonathan Tansil Dickey (Ashley) and Bethany LeeAnn Raymond (Lawrence), all of Russellville; numerous great-grandchildren, the Bartletts - Cash Riley, Pace Michael, and Emmitt Garland, the Davisons - Milli Ray and Letti Ruth, the Raymonds - Tressie RaeAnn and Audie Lawrence; step great-grandchildren, the Morris' - Peyson Reed and Paxton Ryan; a beloved cousin, LaRue Booher (Butch) of Conway; two sisters- in- law, Martha Virden of Morrilton and Shirley Virden of Russellville; nephews and nieces, Lola Bean of Dayton, Ohio, Danny Cothern (Rulene) of Russellville, Lyle Cothern (Linda), and Barbara Moro of Morrilton, Rita Pruss of Maumelle, Bart Virden (Jana) and Lynlee Maus (John) of Morrilton. Teresa Lutz (Kenny), Marcia Litsey, and Charlie Virden, of Russellville; great-nieces and nephews,including Chris Cothern (Catherine) of North West Arkansas, and Tonya Cothern of Conway; a special cousin, Bobbie (Joker) Robinson of Morrilton; and a host of cousins; four step-grandchildren, Ace Walker, (Lorice) Belleville, Aimee Atkinson (Greg) Azel, Texas, Tuesdea Walker (Andy) of Coal Hill, and Maddison Hope Walker (Jesse) of Booneville; step-great grandchildren, Waylon Canada, Lyndsey Bird (Cody) of Russellville, Sky Crose (Blake) of Texarkana, Chanse Walker (Kayla), Thomas Ace Walker and Natasha Walker, all of Bellville, Abby Grace Atkinson of Azel;  step-great-great-grandchildren, Brayden Bird of Russellville, Thomas Walker of Belleville, McKenzie, Alex, and Brandon Crose of Shreveport, Louisiana.

He was a 1952 graduate of Wonderview High School, where he was a popular basketball player. His love for music led him to perform with many bands and groups in his teens and early twenties. He married the love of his life, Glenna Ruth Virden Baker on March 27, 1954. He served in the US Army two separate tours serving in the medical corps, where he worked alongside doctors and nurses helping to heal wounded soldiers. He and his wife founded G. Ray Baker Trucking, where he worked well into his 80's. He was an active member of the First Assembly of God where he faithfully served in nearly every capacity. Sunday School Superintendent was his most loved position, where he ran a bus ministry to bring children to church every Sunday. As of late, he served as song leader in his Sunday School class. He was a lifetime member of the Pope County Fair Board Association. where he served as President and other board positions. He served as Pope County Fair Board Manager up until his death. He met thousands of lifetime friends while he served on the Russellville School Board, and Pope County Quorum Court as a Justice of the Peace. He was known for his generosity and compassion for those in need. He served on the Teen Challenge Board of Directors, a drug rehab program, for over 30 years up until his death. He often collected food items for the needy to distribute through Main Street Mission and Manna House. He was a supporter of Age to Age and served on the Friendship Service Board. His former mentors, Cecil Jasper Baker, Jock Davis, Pete Brown, and Wheelin Virden provided good opportunities and guidance throughout his life. He will be missed greatly for his outgoing personality and big smile.

A special thanks to life long friend and physician Dr. Robert Thurlby, and his running buddy, Burl Clowers, who helped him through many hard times.

The funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m. Friday, January 15, 2021, in Rest Haven Memorial Park, with the Rev. Keith Underhill officiating, and under the direction of Shinn Funeral Service of Russellville.

An open viewing will be held on Thursday, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., and on Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to Pope County Fair Association, C/O Harry Simcox, P.O. Box 752 Russellville AR, 72811.

The online obituary and guestbook are available at www.shinnfuneral.com .