Marshall F. Baker, loved dirt track races

Marshall F. Baker, 74, of Seaford passed away Monday, Jan. 7, 2019, at Nanticoke Memorial Hospital after a brief illness.  He was the son of the late Albert and Helen (nee Parker) Baker. 

Marshall lived most of his life around Georgetown. He attended Georgetown High School. Marshall served his country in the U.S. Army and was a Vietnam veteran.  He worked various construction jobs over the years as a heavy equipment operator doing site prep, septic installation and paving.  He continued a relationship with many coworkers over the years.

Marshall attended dirt track races with his parents and sister as a child.  He continued his love of racing the remainder of his life either as a race car mechanic, owner, or as a sponsor of friends’ teams. Cars he was involved with often sported his Hardscrabble Express logo. He was a board member of the Delaware Racing Association in the early ‘70s. He was always around Georgetown Speedway, Delaware International as well as other tracks in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland. He followed NASCAR, but dirt track racing was his first love. In recent years he enjoyed visiting with his race buddies in various shops as they “bench raced” and talked about the good old days.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded by a baby brother and sister who passed shortly after birth; numerous aunts and uncles; and nephew, John L. Adams.

Marshall is survived by his wife, Charline “Maude” (nee Adams) Baker; sister Joyce Heck; uncle, Alfred Parker (Jean); and brother-in-law, George Adams (Eleanor). He loved his many cousins and their spouses. He cherished his nieces and nephews. 

Funeral services have been rescheduled for Thursday, Jan. 17,  in the chapel of Short Funeral Services, 609 E. Market St., Georgetown, with visitation from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and services at 1 p.m.  Burial, with military honors, will follow at Asbury United Methodist Church Cemetery, Route 9 near Hardscrabble. Casual attire is encouraged, including jeans, a favorite race tee or something red or blue, Marshall’s favorite colors.

Flowers are accepted or memorial contributions to a favorite charity in Marshall’s name would be appreciated.