Reverend Gordon Jefferson Baker

The Reverend Gordon Jefferson Baker, 95 04/23/1916 ~ 07/02/2011 CARLSBAD -- Gordon was born on Easter Sunday, April 23, 1916, in Los Angeles. He met his future wife Betty Smith, when they were elected as regional church youth group officers (president and secretary, respectively). Gordon and Betty were married on August 28, 1940, and continued their partnership of church and community service. A graduate of UCLA and Chicago Theological Seminary, Gordon was ordained as a Congregational minister in 1943 and served four churches (Colonial Congregational Church in Los Angeles, Union Congregational Church in Shafter, First Congregational Church in Buena Park and Pilgrim United Church of Christ in Carlsbad), and completed eight building programs, before retiring in 1981. He continued as Pastor Emeritus at Pilgrim UCC in Carlsbad, and kept a full schedule of travel, community and church activities for another 30 years. Among the achievements of which he was most proud were his leadership with the Carlsbad Housing Advisory Board in the 1960s and the development of low- income housing in the "barrio" area. He also proudly supported Betty as "Mr. Betty Baker" when she established the Carlsbad Literacy Center at Pilgrim UCC in 1971. He served as director of the Center from 1993 to May 2011. He was honored with numerous awards for his community service: Dove Award by the Arc of San Diego North County (2002), Carlsbad Citizen of the Year (2004), Legacy Award by Laubach Literacy Council of San Diego (2006), and Carlsbad Library Foundation Award for literacy work (2008). Gordon was a faithful member of Rotary, with perfect attendance for over 50 years, and traveled with a Rotary group to Ecuador in 2008 at the age of 92. Gordon was predeceased by his parents, Earle and Ruby Baker; wife, Betty; and grandson, Daniel Riley. He is survived by his three children and their spouses, Ronald Baker (Judy Eberhart), Margaret Baker (Francis Riley), Kathryn Tell (Darryl Tell); five grandchildren, (Kimberly Johnson, Joseph Baker, Jacob Tell, Sarah Tell, and Alicia Riley); and five great-grandchildren. Also foreign exchange student daughters, Tonie Lamsin Brucelas and Monica Andujar Rojas and their families are part of Gordon's extended family. He is also survived by his three siblings, Donald Baker of San Francisco, Phyllis Noel of Hemet, Kenneth Baker of La Verne, and Betty's only brother James Smith of Pasadena, and many nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life is planned for July 30, at 2 p.m., at Pilgrim United Church of Christ, 2020 Chestnut, Carlsbad, Calif. 92008. Memorial contributions may be sent in Gordon's name to: ProLiteracy, 1320 Jamesville Ave., Syracuse, NY 13210, and Pilgrim United Church of Christ, 2020 Chestnut, Carlsbad, Calif. 92008. Sign the Guest Book online obits.nctimes.com