Christopher Langston Baker

Christopher Langston Baker, 58, of Concord, North Carolina went to be with the Lord his Savior on Sunday, June 14, 2020. 

Chris was born to Rosa Mae Baker Freeman and Joseph Baker on September 22, 1961 in Washington, DC. He was the youngest of their six children. He was a graduate of Roosevelt High School.  He went on to earn his AAS in Architectural Engineering Technology at University of the District of Columbia.  He also continued his studies in Engineering at the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida. 

He married the love of his life, Cheryl Lynn Gray Baker on September 19, 1992.  They relocated to Tampa, Florida where they welcomed daughter Cherise Laurell Baker and son Christopher Langston Baker II.  They shared a tight bond and were collectively known as CLBx4. Chris loved the Lord, and together their family served in several volunteer ministries in Tampa, FL and Charlotte, NC. 

For over 20 years Chris worked on civil engineering projects across the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern United States.  He earned certifications from CompTIA and ITIL Foundation for operational excellence and information technology. He rose to the position of Associate Vice President, Global Technology & Operations at Bank of America in Charlotte, NC. 

Chris enjoyed competing, and excelled at biking, golfing, playing pool, and bowling.  He was a technology enthusiast, often tinkering with audio-visual equipment, drones and cars.  He was so excited to compete in the annual Gray-Baker Classic and Seeders Golf Tournament.  After winning the Southern Championship Chris wanted everyone to be sure and refer to him as “The Champ!”  He believed in making this world a better place in all that he did. 

He always wanted to lend a hand to others and lived a life of generosity.  Chris served as a member of Tampa Bay Male Club, a mentoring program for young Black men in high school.  At Idlewild Central Baptist Church in Tampa, FL he was a Sunday School teacher, and was a leader on the Jamaica Missions Trip team and audio/visual ministry. He lent his barber skills to an annual back-to-school event which provided haircuts to children in need.  At Ebenezer Baptist Church in Charlotte NC, Chris was a leader with the audio/visual ministry and Missions Blitz. He spread the message of Proverbs 27:17 in word and deeds, sending shirts with the message “Iron Sharpens Iron.”  

Most of all, Chris loved spending time with family and friends.  Being a husband and father was Chris’s greatest joy.  To be loved by him was to know he was your most ardent supporter, he would listen (and debate) when you needed to talk, and he would literally surround you with love when he hugged you. 

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Zebedee and Emma K. Langston; his father, Joseph Baker; his uncle and godfather, Zebedee Langston Jr.; and his beloved sister, Quillarene Baker Rice.   

Chris Baker will be missed greatly by his wife, Cheryl Baker; his children, Cherise Baker and Christopher Baker; his mother, Rosa Mae Langston Baker Freeman; his brothers, Joseph A Baker and Brother Vinson Baker; his sisters, Rev. Dr. Diana Baker Williams (John Williams) and Emogene Baker Mitchell (LaMont Mitchell); as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews.