RAYMOND JAMES BAKER of Foremost, beloved husband of Beverly Baker, passed away peacefully in the Foothills ICU surrounded by his family on Saturday, November 6, 2010 at the age of 61 years.

He is the loving father of Greg (Liz) Baker and Danette (Corey) Anderson, all of Lethbridge; proud grandfather of McKenna and Alexa Anderson and Brynn Baker. Ray is also survived by his sister Vivian (Dennis Peterson) Smith of Lethbridge and his twin brother Clark (Rita) Baker of Youbou, BC; sister-in-law Sharon (Lindsey) Reid of Brooks; brother-in-law Gord (Daphne) Johnson of Foremost; nieces Mary Ann, Evelyn, Claudine, Amanda and Amara; nephews Merle, Trevor, Shane and Ryan and his best little bud, Teddy. He was predeceased by his parents Claude and Viola, brother Vern, niece Cynthia, brother-in-law Merle Smith Sr., parents-in-law Harold and Cora Johnson and his other four-legged guys, Murphy and KC.

Ray was born on May 19, 1949 in Lethbridge and grew up in Foremost on the family farm. He attended Garbutt's Business School until the passing of his father brought him back to the farm to help Vern. After his marriage to Bev in 1970 his job with Mcleods took them from Lethbridge to Yorkton and Kindersley. A career move to Revy and Beaver Lumber saw them come home to Foremost in 1978 to manage the lumber yard. In 1982 they bought out Beaver and opened Foremost Building Supplies.

Ray had a strong sense of community. He belonged to the Elks Club, Sage Club, Foremost Tractor Pulling Association and ambulance crew. He was especially proud to have been a volunteer firefighter for 30 years. He performed in many theatrical productions and sang in the United Church choir. Ray was an avid fisherman who was always hoping to catch ""the big one"". Curling, snow skiing and jet skiing were other sports he enjoyed but the best times were spent with his family. Teasing his grandchildren, playing games, eating or just having a beer were all special times. Ray will be remembered for his sense of humor and fun-loving attitude. He was always the life of the party and center of our lives. He will be dearly missed because ""everybody loves Raymond"".

Family and friends are invited to pay their respects between 7:00 pm and 9:00 pm on Thursday, November 11, 2010 at MARTIN BROS. RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610 4th Street South, Lethbridge.

A Funeral Service will be held at 1:30 pm on Friday, November 12, 2010 at the FOREMOST COMMUNITY HALL, Foremost, Alberta.

Interment at Foremost Cemetery, Foremost, Alberta.

Those who wish, donations in Ray's memory may be made to the Bow Island Health Centre, P.O. Box 3900, Bow Island, AB T0K 0G0, or to a charity of one's choice.