Roll Call Tribute

Joe Ned "Ned" Baker 

February 6, 1935 - April 13, 2024 

Joe Ned Baker, 89, passed away in a Fort Worth hospital on April 13, 2024, due to complications from a series of falls in the past year. He was born in Fort Worth on Feb. 6, 1935, to F. Sloan and Claudia (Patton) Baker, living on the Jarvis Ranch (now the Houston Ranch); his father was the foreman. He began primary school in Lipan while on the ranch, and Bluff Dale after the ranch was sold. His family then moved to Breckenridge, Texas where he finished his secondary school years. Ned was an excellent student and enjoyed playing the trombone in the Breckenridge HS Buckaroo band. He received the Principal's Award at graduation in 1953 for being neither absent nor tardy during high school.

He met his beloved wife, Ruth Walker, of Moran, Texas, at Tarleton State College in Stephenville, on a blind date. He and Ruth were married Aug. 10, 1956. Ned transferred to Texas A&M University where he was a member of the Corps of Cadets and a Distinguished Student, and graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1957. After receiving a US Army commission as 2nd Lieutenant, he served for several years in the active-duty reserves. He worked for Westinghouse Electric Corporation in Pennsylvania and pursued graduate studies at the University of Pittsburgh. He and Ruth welcomed identical twins, Deborah Lynn, and Theresa Gay, born in Chester, Pennsylvania.

The family relocated back to Texas, where he worked for Texas Utilities, beginning with Texas Electric Service Company in Fort Worth. After 33-plus years, he retired from Texas Utilities (now TXU) as manager of power engineering in Dallas. Ned was a man of integrity, and blessed with a strength of leadership and determination that made him a good and well-respected manager. He served in several capacities, including power engineering, finance, and power plant management.

Ned enjoyed country music, especially country gospel, and found his true church home at Triple Cross Cowboy Church in Granbury after years of searching for the perfect fit. His church family was instrumental to his spiritual growth in his later years, and as he cared for his wife Ruth when her health declined.

Ned was a man of a variety of interests and hobbies, including many years of playing golf, running, cycling, motor home traveling with motorcycle in tow, water skiing, tennis, playing games with friends, square dancing, bowling, telling jokes, and woodworking. Ned loved dogs, and had many pets through the years. Most recently, Duke the Aussie, was a great companion for him.

Ned's friendliness and sense of humor was a light to many, as he never met a stranger.

Ned was preceded in death by his wife of 62-plus years, Ruth, his parents Frank Sloan Baker and Claudia Patton Baker, and brothers Sloan Jr., Jack, and James.

He is survived by his daughters, Theresa Mullins and husband Terry of Dallas, Debbie Benner and husband Bruce of Fort Worth, sister Judy Stroud of Granbury, sister-in-law Kathy Baker of Buffalo, sister-in-law Patsy Reid and husband Jerry of Cape Coral, Florida, nine grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial and celebration of life was held at 11 a.m., Friday, May 10, at Triple Cross Cowboy Church, 3470 Lipan Hwy. in Granbury (casual/comfortable dress).

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Triple Cross Cowboy Church (817-279-2470; www.triplecrosscowboychurch.org) or The Texas A&M Association of Former Students, 505 George Bush Drive, College Station, TX 77840 (979-845-7514; www.aggienetwork.com).