Daniel Oliver Baker, Jr. (D.O.) of Port Republic, Maryland, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 1, 2024. He was born on December 23, 1943, in Washington, D.C., to Daniel O. Baker and Mary E. Baker.

D.O. grew up on Rhode River in Mayo, Maryland, with his mother and stepfather, Phillip Vail. He spent his youth on the river crabbing and fishing, a pastime that would remain close to his heart throughout his life. During this time, he joined the Woodland Beach Volunteer Fire Department, marking the beginning of his lifelong commitment to fire service.
After graduating high school, D.O. began his career at Bausum & Duckett Electric in Edgewater. In 1964, he married the love of his life, Phyllis Stallings Baker. Two years later, in 1966, he joined the Maryland State Police, which led him to Lusby in Calvert County. During his tenure with the Maryland State Police, he served as a road trooper, a K9 handler, and a medic in the aviation division. He later transferred to the Department of Natural Resources, where he worked as an arson and homicide investigator until 1974. D.O. then launched his own electrical business, eventually retiring in the early 2000s. He later resumed work as a Temporary Electrical Inspector with Calvert County Government and served on the Board of Appeals for Calvert County for 14 years.

In 1970, D.O. and Phyllis built their new home in Port Republic, where they planted their roots and raised their family. During his time in Port Republic, D.O. transferred to the Prince Frederick Volunteer Fire Department, and in 1987, he joined the St. Leonard Volunteer Fire Department (SLVFD). He brought invaluable knowledge to the new fire department, and his insistence on rigorous training led SLVFD to win the Zembower Fire Service Training Award for three consecutive years, making them the first department in the state to achieve this honor. D.O. was instrumental in acquiring numerous pieces of apparatus and securing funding for the department’s building expansion project in the ’90s. During his time with SLVFD, he served as Chief, President, a member of the Board of Directors, and was honored as a Life Member.

D.O.’s dedication to the fire service extended beyond his local department. He served on the Maryland State Fire Prevention Commission and was inducted into the Calvert County Fire & Rescue Association Hall of Fame, the Southern Maryland Firemen’s Association Hall of Fame, and the Maryland State Firefighters Association Hall of Fame. Additionally, D.O. was a member of the Calvert County Sportsmen’s Club and the Calvert County Watermen’s Association. His contributions to the fire service and his community are immeasurable, leaving a lasting legacy of dedication, leadership, and service that will be remembered for generations to come.

D.O. was preceded in death by his mother Mary Vail and his stepfather Philip G. Vail. Surviving is his wife Phyllis Baker, children Daniel III (Roberta), Natalie Garner (Troy), grandchildren Katie Brittain (Justin), Daniel IV, Taylor Dagle (Austin), Austin Garner (Ellen), great grandchildren Wesley Brittain, Charleigh Brittain, Camdyn Dagle.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday September 10, 2024 from 6-7:30 PM when there will be a Fireman’s Prayer service to follow at the St. Leonard Volunteer Fire Department and on Wednesday September 11, 2024 from 11-12 noon at Christ Church in Port Republic where a funeral service will follow at noon. Interment will be in the church cemetery.