Richard Marshall Baker

02/06/1936 - 09/08/2025

Richard Marshall Baker.
Surrounded by his family, Richard (Dick) M. Baker peacefully left his earth on September 8, 2025 for his eternal home with his Lord and Savior. He was predeceased by his parents Dan and Alta Lee Baker, wife Carolyn Baker, daughter Marcie Baker and brothers Dan and Bill Baker. Left to cherish his memory are daughter Pam (Billy) Longshore, son Bric (Emily) Baker, son Chad Baker, 11 grandchildren: Colter (Rebecca) Longshore, Micah (Emily) Baker, Brooke (Alex) Ritter, Isaiah (Addie) Baker, Laurah (Isaac) Ward, Isaac Baker, Jack Baker, Bahr Baker, Jessah Baker, Jace Baker and William Baker; 4 great grandchildren: Lennon Longshore, Baker Longshore, Fynlin Ward and Eden Baker; and sister in law Rebecca Byrd.
Dick Baker was born on February 6, 1936, in Birmingham, Alabama as part of the Baker Dairy family. He had many adventures growing up in and around Shades Creek and at the Baker family farm in Greene County. He graduated from Woodlawn High School where he was an outstanding football player. He also would occasionally pick up his dates in a Baker milk truck. Dick was always one to break the mold, so he decided to attend Baylor University in Waco, Texas for college despite most in his family going to Auburn or another state school. He was led to attend Baylor after meeting a group from Baylor at his church (McElwain Baptist) who were serious about their Christian faith. He thrived at Baylor playing football for 4 years on an excellent Baylor team where he made lifelong friends. Also, the highlight of his time at Baylor was meeting Carolyn Sue Simmons who became his wife on July 30, 1956, and they were married for 61 years until her death on July 30, 2017. Dick was a good athlete and student during his Baylor years and cherished his time there where his Christian faith grew.
Dick, Carolyn and one year old Pam returned to Birmingham in 1960 where he worked for a time at Baker Dairy before again breaking the mold to go into the homebuilding and residential real estate development business in the early 1960s at which he excelled for 4 decades. Dick was always a people person and operated his business in accordance with his Christian faith over the years. He developed many great relationships with all the people he worked with including customers, partners, employees and subcontractors. His faith in Christ infused everything he did. While in Birmingham, Dick and family were active first at McElwain Baptist and then at Briarwood Presbyterian Church for many decades where he served as an elder as well as being involved with Carolyn in the Briarwood singles ministry for many years. He also served for many decades on the board of the American Family Association and contributed to many Christian ministries.
Over 25 years ago, Dick and Carolyn made a big move to a farm outside Shelbyville, TN so his family could have a farm like he enjoyed in Greene County. This farm on Pickle Road became a gathering spot for family and friends for many years, and wonderful times were experienced there. Dick was always a people person who loved meeting new people and being with friends and family. He never met a stranger. The past few years he enjoyed living at Morning Pointe in Tullahoma, TN where he became friends with the other residents and the staff there.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the American Family Association, P.O. Drawer 2440, Tupelo, MS 38803. There will be a memorial service on Saturday, September 13, 2025 at 3 p.m. at Feldhaus Memorial Chapel, 2022 North Main Street, Shelbyville, TN 37160 with visitation prior at 2 p.m.