Henry Nicholas Baker

Henry Nicholas “Nick” Baker, of Louisville, Kentucky, passed into eternal life on March 13, 2026 at Norton Brownsboro Hospital in Louisville after a short illness, surrounded by his family and Episcopal clergy. Born on April 10, 1937 in Hazard, Kentucky to Mark and Roberta (Brashear) Baker, Nick grew up in Hazard and on his family’s farm in Viper, Kentucky, and spent his high school years in Clintwood, Virginia. He made Louisville his home for 66 years, and practiced law for 50 years. He was a 1959 graduate of Georgetown College, where he was a member of the Kappa Alpha order, and a 1966 graduate of the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law.

Nick joined the U.S. Army at Fort Knox in 1959, served six months of active duty in the 100th Training Division, and was a reservist until 1965. A firm believer in civic duty, Nick served the Commonwealth’s 38th district in the Kentucky State Senate from 1970 to 1978, where he introduced Senate Bill 73, which required that any school with a men's basketball team that received state funds would also have to establish a women's team, bringing girl’s basketball back to Kentucky high schools after a 42-year lapse, and changing the lives of countless aspiring female athletes. A man of deep religious faith, he was a longtime member of Calvary Episcopal Church, where he served on the vestry twice. Nick was an avid and lifelong swimmer, and for decades swam at Lakeside Swim Club.

Nick’s greatest joys in life came from his family. Nick is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Susan Henson Baker; three children, Henry (Samuela Elarti), Sarah, and Matthew; two grandchildren, Sophia Elarti-Baker and Valentina Elarti-Baker; brother Kenneth; sister-in-law, Louisa Henson; brother-in-law, Ed Henson (Gail); and much-loved nieces and nephews. Through Kentucky Refugee Ministries, Nick and Susan welcomed Jeff and Olivia Chang into their lives in 2008. He was preceded in death by his mother, Roberta Baker (Brashear) and his father, Mark Baker.

A funeral liturgy will be read at 12:00 p.m. at Calvary Episcopal Church on Saturday, March 21, with visitation at 10:00 a.m. and a reception following the service. Interment will be private at Cave Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the St. John Center at 700 E Muhammad Ali Blvd.