Roll Call Tribute

Erwin R. "Ray" Baker 

August 2, 1929 - October 21, 2023 

Heaven officially has a new trumpet player. Erwin Ray Baker, 94, of Lake Jackson, Texas, affectionately known as “Pop” by his grandchildren, entered into glory with his Savior, Jesus Christ, on Saturday, October 21, 2023. Ray was born on August 2, 1929, in Port Arthur, Texas to the late Erwin Ray Baker Sr. and Oma Hazel Baker. Ray was a military hero, as well as being a hero in the eyes of his family. He served as an Army NCO Intelligence Officer and Sergeant during the Korean War. After returning from combat, he completed his B.S. Degree in Architectural Engineering at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas.

Throughout his life, Ray had a passion for God, family, America, sports, and music. He was a family man filled with integrity, and excelled in his creative gifts from an early age. Since the tender age of 11, Ray played the trumpet at military funerals. By age 12, he was playing in a band with friends at USO dances at Pleasure Pier in Port Arthur, TX and other locations. He enjoyed playing varsity basketball and football at Jefferson High School in Port Arthur, TX. He and his future wife, Maureen, met at a church basketball league game in which Ray was playing. They bonded over their shared faith and love of swing dance in high school. While Ray’s earlier years were spent in the Methodist Church, he later joined his love, Maureen (Mar Mar), at the Proctor Street Baptist Church after they began dating. Maureen liked to sweetly tease him about being responsible for bringing him to the Baptist Church. They were married on September 1, 1951. She was 19 years old and he was 22 years old. Their faithfulness to each other and God never wavered, and their beautiful love story will be talked about for many years to come. Both were faithful Baptist congregants for the rest of their lives and respected in their faith community.

Ray demonstrated his dedication to Christ throughout his life in many ways. He had the heart of an evangelist and would spread the love of Jesus Christ wherever he went, including as a Sunday School teacher for teenage boys, participating in Seaport Ministry, and serving as a leader on the Jewish Evangelism Team at Sharpstown Baptist Church in Houston, TX. He coached an Upward Basketball Team with his daughter, Amy, at First Baptist Church in Lake Jackson, TX. Ray had the distinct honor of being ordained as a chaplain at FBC Lake Jackson later in his life. He spent his “retired years” lending his energy and skills to prison ministry, hospital ministry, and nursing home ministry.

Ray had a talent for building and architecture. After completing his education and training at A&M, he had a successful career in engineering at Dow Chemical in Houston and Lake Jackson, TX. He was a man that had a talent for building and overseeing earthly projects, as well as helping to build up the eternal kingdom of God. Perhaps most of all, Ray was known as a family man that loved spending quality time with kids, grandkids, and close friends. His children, including Lisa, Les, Amy, and Randy, were the joys of his life. As they grew up, he enjoyed creating special memories with them including cross-country road trips, visiting amusement parks, frequenting ice cream parlors, and attending Astros baseball games.

Pop’s adoring grandchildren have many fond memories of him including going to the mall, coffee time, visiting various restaurants, beach trips to Surfside, shooting pool, hearing stories about his life (including the Korean War), outdoor walks, going to church, and watching his favorite shows, such as westerns. If Maureen was the heart of the family, Pop was the backbone of love and support. He and Maureen made their home a sanctuary for their grandchildren. He always demonstrated patience and joy, welcoming his grandchildren with open arms, as well as plenty of hugs and kisses (smackies). All was well at Mar and Pop’s house. His legacy of Christ-like love will carry on in his grandchildren, as well as all his family and loved ones who model his positive attitude and servant leadership.

Erwin Ray Baker is preceded in death by his son, John Randall Baker, and his beautiful wife, Maureen Baker.

Those surviving Erwin Ray Baker are his children and their spouses including their daughter, Lisa Madsen, and her husband, Dan; son, Lesley Baker, and his wife, Christina; and daughter, Amy Summa, and her husband, Dale. Also surviving Pop are his many adoring grandchildren, including Danielle; J.R.; Westin and his spouse, Samantha; Rick and his spouse, Melanie; Tracy; Russell; and one great-grandchild, Wesley Rose.

The Celebration of Life will be at Restwood Funeral Home in Clute, Texas on October 30, 2023. The viewing will take place at noon and the military service will begin at 1PM, with Pastor Brad Dawson of First Baptist Church of Lake Jackson, TX presiding. Erwin Ray Baker will be laid to rest with military honors at Garden of Memories in El Campo, TX at 4PM.