Passing of an era: Former Fort Smith Mayor Ray Baker dies (Updated)

story by Michael Tilley and Aric Mitchell
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[email protected]

Former Fort Smith Mayor Ray Baker has died. He was 71.

His family confirmed that he died Friday morning in his home.

Baker was mayor of Fort Smith between 1991 and 2010, and served on the Fort Smith Board of Directors for almost 10 years.

“It is truly the end of an era in Fort Smith,” said Ann Dawson, the daughter of long-time Baker confidant J. Fred Patton.

Ending almost every speech with “Life’s worth living in Fort Smith, Arkansas,” Mayor Baker was considered by many as the city’s best cheerleader.

He also taught American History at Southside High School for 44 years, and taught English and geography at Ramsey Junior High School two years prior to moving to Southside. Baker was named the Arkansas Teacher of the Year, Arkansas PTA Teacher of the year, and in 1995 won the nationally prestigious Milken Family National Educator award.

“He lived the values he taught as a teacher regarding citizenship and community service,” said Fort Smith attorney Ben Shipley, who served with Baker on the Fort Smith Board of Directors.

One of Baker’s staunchest allies also spoke to Shipley’s point of community service.

“As a mayor, Mayor Baker was sensitive to the needs of everyone in the city. I can’t speak for his role in the classroom, but I know when it came to Fort Smith, he was always fair and even-handed, and he wanted the people to feel good about themselves and their city. He loved this city, and he loved being a part of it,” friend and political supporter Barbara Hardcastle recently told The City Wire.

ILLNESS, ELECTION
Baker ended on Dec. 31 a 20-year stint as the city’s mayor. He was defeated Nov. 2 by Sandy Sanders, who captured 53.9% of the vote.

Baker’s health was a major issue prior to the election, and his frail appearance and weak voice at events after the election continued to feed speculation as to his prognosis. A hospital stay by Baker forced the rescheduling of the 2010 Spirit of the Frontier Awards. The hospitalization was Baker’s fourth known hospital stay in the past 13 months. Baker successfully underwent surgery and chemo for colon cancer in late 2007.

Conventional wisdom holds that Baker may have been on his way to winning a sixth term prior to Oct. 22. But on that day, an alarmingly frail Baker attended a mayoral forum sponsored by the Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Fort Smith Manufacturing Executives Association.

In the first ever professional survey of the mayor race, The City Wire Election 2010 Poll showed Baker with a 42% to 34% lead over Sanders. The Oct. 19 survey of 600 likely voters in Fort Smith also showed that 24% remain undecided. The survey had a +4%/-4% margin of error.

Pictures and television news reports of the forum made visible the physical effect of Baker’s condition.

“I think that is true,” Shipley said when asked if voters may have changed their vote when they saw how sick Baker appeared in the weeks prior to the election. “Now that’s not to take away from Sandy, but I heard many say that they loved the Mayor but they wanted him to go home and get well.”

But Baker wasn’t interested in retreating from public service. During a Dec. 30 presentation of the 2010 Spirit of the Frontier Awards, Baker — who again appeared frail and had a weak voice — showed an aggressive spirit during a pre-event interview.

“I don’t think about it,” Baker replied when asked his feelings about the event being his last official mayoral function. “I close one door and open another. You’re not going to get rid of me. I’m going to remain very active.”

He would not offer specifics about the post-mayoral activity, but did say “many things” need to happen in the city, and he expressed concern that “too many things are going on behind the scenes” in city government.

“The things I couldn’t do as Mayor, you know, I had to hold my tongue on a lot of things. Now, I don’t have to,” Baker said.

‘GREAT SALESMAN’
It was that spirit that drove Baker’s public service, said Shipley and Strib Boynton, a former Fort Smith City Administrator.

Boynton, who has been the city manager of High Point, N.C., since January 1998, was Fort Smith’s administrator between 1986 and 1997.

“Those were some of the best 12 years of my life. I enjoyed working with Ray. He was very exasperating at times, but anyone who has that type of passion can be exasperating at times,” Boynton said in a recent interview.

One of the first things Boynton said he learned about Baker was his willingness to “go against the special interest crowds.”

“Ray was a gentlemen. He had a passion for making sure the city met the needs of ordinary citizens. He was very gifted and talented with that passion he had. Ray made sure we did not forget mom and pop in the neighborhoods, because he felt they were the heart and soul of the city,” Boynton said.

Boynton said Baker “was a great salesman and morale builder” for Fort Smith.

“He believed in Fort Smith and making it a better community. I think that’s the bottom line for his years in that office,” Boynton added.

It’s the point of being a community builder that Shipley stressed repeatedly during a recent interview. Baker was often teased that he was interested only in passing our roses and awards, but his impact was much deeper, Shipley noted.

“He helped get Fort Smith through difficult times because the people trusted Ray,” Shipley said, adding that passage of sales taxes to expand Lake Fort Smith, expand the Convention Center, expand the Fort Smith Public Library, develop the Fort Smith riverfront and streets and other critical projects may not have happened without Baker’s support.

A statement from the city of Fort Smith listed several projects of which Baker supported and pushed. Those include:
• Lee Creek and Lake Fort Smith water supply projects to meet regional needs through at least 2060;
• Numerous roadway projects, including Old Greenwood Road, Phoenix Avenue, Kelley Highway, Massard Road, Waldron Road; and,
• Relocation of the landfill to former Fort Chaffee property that meets regional solid waste needs through 2070.

“Ray was an integral part on all of those, and the people trusted Ray. They really trusted him. I don’t think we could have done all that without him. .. So, the open question is, ‘Does the city have someone who can tie back into the soul of the community and earn their trust?’ I’m not sure that’s possible in this modern world,” Shipley said.

THE TEACHER
Of his time in the classroom, Fort Smith Southside Principal Wayne Haver said Baker was dynamic and his excitement helped connect with students.

“I started working with Mayor Baker in 1970, and I have to say he was an excellent, excellent teacher. I never knew a more organized man. He was always there with a birthday note or a thank-you note, and he always put the best interests of others ahead of his own,” Haver said.

Haver continued: “When he taught, he was so dynamic. Everything came from the heart. If a student answered a question correctly, he would be like, ‘You got it! You got it!’ and it wasn’t fake. He was truly excited about education and about history, and the kids loved being in his classes. He believed that every student could learn, and that every student should learn, and that everyone should have a good foundation of knowledge for this country concerning how it was formed and what made it the great place that it is.”

Haver said teaching was one of Baker’s many passions, and it showed inside and outside the classroom.

“He used to lead pep rallies with the Rebel yell. He would dress up like George Washington and lead the class in patriotic songs. He loved celebrating Washington’s and Lincoln’s birthdays, and he would dress up in the old three-cornered hats to commemorate Presidents’ days. He was such an animated teacher, and he loved giving kids credit for their learning,” Haver recalled.

Another love Baker had, Haver mentioned, was one he shared with a fellow faculty member, wife Nancy, whom he met while both were teaching at Southside.

“In those days, if teachers got married to one another, they would have to transfer schools, so Nancy did, and Ray stayed here,” Haver said.

When Baker retired in 2007, partially due to health reasons, he was the last remaining original teacher on staff. 

Discussing Baker’s departure, Haver noted: “His room was filled with student projects and accomplishments going back to his first years at Southside. We still have a lot of those old projects in storage. When he left, he felt those were the school’s and not his own. When I used to show people around, I’d call Room 211 our resident museum. There would be model planes and maps and forts built out of matchsticks. We didn’t repaint his room for the longest time after he left because the painters didn’t have anywhere to work, it was so wall-to-wall. He was just quite a man, and with all the things he did for Fort Smith, quite a mayor—a truly unique, one of a kind individual.”

‘SET THE SPIRIT’
Shipley said Baker brought his teaching skills to the board by encouraging members of the board to be as thoughtful as possible about every issue and respectful of all citizens. And like in the classroom, Shipley said, Baker thought it important to reward good behavior.

“That’s, I think, the reason behind the awards programs he created. He wanted to recognize all the people who were doing good things in the community,” Shipley said. “He almost killed himself going to every ribbon cutting and every event. He hated to miss anything. And he did more to support area arts groups and the Boys & Girls Club than most people realize.”

Shipley does believe Baker’s intense approach to the role of Mayor may have physically worn him down.

“I think he gave sacrificially of himself, probably to his detriment. I really do. He would go night and day. It really became his life, and he totally gave himself to his community. … He understood that the mayor may be ceremonial, but it was important for him to set the spirit of the community,” Shipley said.

Shipley doubts Baker would have changed his approach even if he believed the pace could be deadly.

“I really think that in his mind’s eye, now he never said this, but in his mind’s eye, he really thought the office of mayor was a high calling. … He really poured himself into the job and really wanted what was best for the community. This community is a better community because he was born. And he did the job for the right reasons. He was never interested in any power and glory. He was interested in the old fashioned but great concept of doing it just for the community service,” Shipley said.

Formal obituary for Mayor Ray Baker
C. Ray Baker Jr. left this earth on March 4, 2011, to be with his Lord. He was born on August 8, 1939, at St. Edward Hospital to parents, Charles Ray and Helen Westbrooke Baker, who preceded him in death. Ray Sr. was a professional baseball player and Helen was a beauty queen. Ray’s dad left the professional player ranks and became a manager of the Muskogee Reds Baseball team.

Later Ray Sr. was a scout for the Washington Senators and the Houston Astros. Although the family, Ray and his sisters, Toy and Theda, traveled to many states, Fort Smith was always their home.

Ray attended Rogers Elementary, Darby Jr. High and Fort Smith High School (Northside). From a young age he wanted to teach and to enter politics. To pursue this goal, Ray attended Fort Smith Junior College (UAFS), Peabody College in Nashville, TN and graduated from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. Years later, he received a Masters in Education from the U. of A.He began his teaching career at Ramsey Jr. High in the fall of 1961.Two years later he transferred to Southside High School, becoming a member of the school’s original faculty.

He served as the Chairman of the Social Studies Department and Senior Class sponsor for 44 years. Ray loved teaching and left his former students with memories of the lollipop award, froggy’s pop quizzes and his singing of General George. His room was certainly an experience for his students. Walls, ceilings, and shelves were filled with student projects and historical artifacts from stuffed toys to wooden Indians. Over the years Ray received many awards including: Arkansas Teacher of the Year and runner-up National Teacher of the Year in 1984, DAR National Teacher, State PTA Teacher, and the Milkin Award. He was a Fulbright Scholar in 1964 and studied for six weeks at the University of Beirut.

Ray served as the local Classroom Teachers Association President, State CTA President and Arkansas Education Association State President. In addition to his classroom teaching, Ray also taught the Uplifters Sunday School Class at First United Methodist Church for over 20 years. He took great joy in being their teacher. He always started the lesson with corny jokes that he enjoyed more than the class members. His lessons were broadcast on the radio and there were many loyal followers of this broadcast.

In 1981, Ray entered city politics and was elected Director at Large, a position he held until 1990.In 1990, life for Ray changed dramatically when he made the decision to run for Mayor and asked Fred Patton to be his campaign manager. Both decisions had a tremendously positive impact on his life. Fred remained Ray’s close friend and adviser for the remainder of his life. Citizens elected Ray as Mayor and re-elected him four more times, resulting in his serving as Fort Smith’s Mayor for 20 years.

Ray’s love for this community and its citizens is hard to describe. Many thousands of citizens have been recipients of his thoughtfulness through cards, letters, and flowers. He brightened the day of many individuals in hospitals and nursing homes by his hand written cards. He wanted the very best for this community and he was their number one cheerleader. He Honored citizens from every walk of life and never turned down a request.

He was very patriotic, and recognized citizens for their acts of patriotism. He felt families were the backbone of any community, so he presented awards for Father, Mother and Family of the Year. He loved the arts and promoted them in the community by establishing his Mayors Honors to the Visual and Performing Arts Awards. He also reached out to the community by hosting the Martin Luther King breakfast and the Mayor’s Prayer breakfast.

Ray was full of energy and his accomplishments and awards are too lengthy to mention. Being recognized was never his goal; serving his fellow citizens was his only goal. He encouraged others to serve with his Angel luncheons that he hosted every year. Ray loved his family and was so proud of his son, Brett, and daughter, Tiffany. He was delighted when they married wonderful spouses and loved them dearly as well.

He was extremely grateful for his grandchildren and enjoyed and loved each one in his own special way. The birth of the first grandchild, Alexis, he did not want the traditional name usually reserved for grandparents, so he came up with "Ruffy" and it was a hit with the grandchildren. The 5 grandchildren loved, respected, and enjoyed Ruffy. Ray and Nancy were married for 46 years. They met at Southside High school where they both taught social studies. Opposite in personality, the marriage worked. Happy and fond memories remain.

Ray is survived by his wife, Nancy; son Brett and his wife Mary and their children Alexis and Zachary of Andover, KS; daughter Tiffany Null and her husband Greg and their children Hannah, Rachel, and Jacob of Fort Smith; two sisters Toy of Fort Smith and Theda Jackson and husband Ron of Greenwood, AR.; sister-in-law Jane Neely of Mustang, OK; brother-in-law Jack Harper of Prescott, AZ and many nieces and nephews. He will be missed by his family and many friends. He lived life to the fullest and it can be said he made "Life worth living in Fort Smith, Arkansas!"

Memorial Service will be Monday, March 7, 2011 at 1:00 PM in the Family Life Center First United Methodist Church under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home. Private family interment will be in Forest Park Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Tom Caldarera, Bud Harper, Jim Harwood, Dr. David Hunton, Bob Jeffery, Arthur Rideout, Tony Scherrey, Ben Shipley, and Nick Cox.

The family will greet friends in the of First United Methodist Church following the Memorial Service.

MEMORIALS CAN BE MADE TO KISTLER TREATMENT CENTER FOR CHILDREN, 3304 SOUTH M, FORT SMITH, AR 72903, FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 200 NORTH 15TH, FORT SMITH, AR 72901, OR THE CHARITY OF ONE’s CHOICE