Walter Baker

1931 - 2022

Walter Searls Baker, Jr.
1931-2022
Walter Searls Baker, Jr. was called home by his Lord and Savior on the 10th of February 2022. He was born the 2nd of February 1931 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to Walter and Nora Baker and graduated from El Paso High School, El Paso, Texas in 1949, where he excelled in academics and athletics. He was quarterback of the football team, captain of the basketball team, and was on the baseball and track (pole vault) teams. He attended Rice University, receiving a BA in Business Administration in 1953. While at Rice, Walter met the love of his life, Beverly Ward. They married on the 17th of December 1953. After two years of service in the Navy, Walter and Beverly moved to Houston, where Walter began his career as a CPA with Arthur Anderson & Co. and the couple laid the foundation for their incredible life together.
Walter was named partner in Arthur Anderson, where he was widely respected for his auditing skills and quiet, professional demeanor. In 1966, he was asked to open the firm's first office in Africa, and he moved his young family to Johannesburg, South Africa, where they lived for three years and travelled throughout Europe, Africa and Asia. In 1974, Walter began work for Quintana Petroleum Corporation and associated companies, where he served as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer until his retirement.
Walter remained an active member of the Rice community throughout his life, serving as a Board Member and President of the Friends of Fondren Library and the Houston Philosophical Society, and was instrumental in launching the Jones Graduate School of Business. He was also active in numerous other charitable endeavors, contributing his judgment and financial acumen to The Houston Ballet, The Barnhart Foundation, Sheltering Arms, and St. Philip's Presbyterian Church, among others. Following retirement, Walter became a Master Gardener and generously volunteered his time and expertise at the Christian Community Service Center Community Garden.
Walter's life was characterized by his strong faith, love of family, and service to his friends and community. He was a quiet person, not inclined to speak unless he had something to say, and as a result could be an intimidating presence. He never sought the limelight and preferred to help others quietly, without fanfare. When he did speak, people listened. Despite his taciturn demeanor and modesty, everyone who knew Walter knew his big heart and his quiet generosity. Walter enjoyed hunting, fishing and being outdoors, activities he loved sharing with his sons, grandsons and friends.
Walter was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Nora Baker, his son Timothy Baker, his stepmother Virginia Baker, his brother Gerald Baker, and his brothers-in-law and constant hunting and fishing companions, Harold Ward and Norman Garner. Walter is survived by his beloved wife of 68 years, Beverly, sister Shirley Garner and sister-in-law Sarah Baker; his children, Bryan Baker and his wife, Claire, Laura Faison, and Walter ("Drew") Baker and his wife Jeannette; his much adored grandchildren Joseph Faison and his wife Dominique, Davis Baker and his wife Olivia, Elizabeth Clifton and her husband Phillip, Melissa Novotny and her husband Justin, Kate Faison, Alice Baker, John Baker, and Walter ("Walt") Baker and fiancé Taylor Simons; and his great-grandchildren Hank and Walter Clifton, Nancy, Tom and Andrew Novotny, Lois Faison, and Brooks Walter Baker.
The family will gather for a private burial service at Forest Park Cemetery on Friday February 18, 2022. For those interested in attending virtually, the service will be streamed beginning at 10:00 am at www.facebook.com/chapelofeternalpeace. A reception celebrating Walter's life will follow.
The family extends its gratitude to James Hawkins, the staff of Season's Hospice and the caregivers of Hodge's Helping Hands for the outstanding care they gave Walter.
In lieu of the customary remembrances, the family requests donations in Walter's memory to be directed to the Timothy David Baker Endowed Scholarship in Marine and Freshwater Biology at The University of Texas, P.O. Box 7458, Austin, TX 78713-7458, or to a charity of your choice.