Carole Baker
Carole H. BakerKERRVILLE - Friend, lover, wife and companion, Carole H. Baker was born Oct. 17, 1951. Having cheerfully and bravely battled metastatic cancer for the past five years, Carole passed away quietly Monday, Aug. 17, 2009, at her home in Kerrville, Texas. She was surrounded by her devoted husband, loving family and friends.
Carole BakerCarole is survived by her beloved husband, Col. (Ret.) William H. Tyler; parents, William John Reginald Baker and Joyce Helen Perkins Baker; brother, Michael John Baker; sister-in-law, Ann Baker; and niece, Samantha Baker, all of Lordswood, Chatham, Kent, England.
Carole was born in Gravesend, Kent, England, to a not-so-average family. Her mother worked in military planning during World War II, scheduling convoys from the United States to England. Her father initially worked in aircraft production, but departed at the age of 41 to enter engineering school. He eventually rose to the rank of Professor of Engineering at Braintree College of Further Education. Her brother, Mike, is a Professional Surveyor and head of Building Control in the London borough of Bexley. Her sister-in-law, Ann, is the head of Queen Ann Care Home. Her niece, Samantha, is an accomplished musician planning a career in Musical Education.
After completing her education at Braintree College, Carole spent a short time working in the fashion industry before applying for a job with Aramco, Saudi Arabia. This afforded her the opportunity to travel throughout the eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East. Carole became enthralled with the United States after a visit and, in 1979, she left Aramco; without the promise of employment, she moved to Houston. She worked several jobs for the next five years, while indulging in her favorite pastime, dancing.
In 1984, Carole accepted a position as Administrative Assistant to the Director of the prestigious Remington Hotel. It was here she met her future husband, Bill. They later left the hotel, moved to the Tampa, Fla., area, and opened a motorcycle and watercraft dealership. After two and a half years, they married and shortly thereafter, decided to return to Houston. Carole accepted a position as Executive Assistant to the Chairman of the Board of Santa Fe Energy. Later, she was promoted to manager of International Administration and assigned to Ecuador for two years, followed by her two-year assignment to China. During their years overseas, Carole and Bill enjoyed numerous travel adventures.
After her China assignment, while en route to Houston in 2000, Santa Fe Energy was acquired by Devon Energy, leaving Carole with an uncertainty if she still had a job. However, because of her reputation and abilities, she was assigned as the Administrative Manager of the International Division. She happily remained with Devon for the next few years until illness forced her into retirement.
In all her various endeavors, Carole was respected for her devotion to high standards for herself and her co-workers, recognized as motivated, brilliant, highly capable and a wonderful friend to large numbers of people around the world.
Carole and Bill shared an affinity for rottweiler dogs, having owned four since 1996. Carole will be deeply missed by Alexander, who has spent most of the last two years by her side. The family expresses Carole's appreciation to her M.D. Anderson doctors, Lucci, Booser, Rao and Woo in Houston, and Dr. Barrington in Kerrville. They especially appreciate the care provided by the Ave Maria Hospice.
A memorial service will be held at the Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Drive in Houston, Texas, on Friday, Aug. 28, 2009, in the cemetery chapel at 2:30 p.m. Services have been entrusted to Santana Funeral Directors of Houston, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, Carole asked that you make donations to your favorite cancer charity; expressions of condolence may be sent to tylerchili@aol.com.