Bradford Edward Baker

Dr. Bradford Baker, beloved son, brother, friend, and devoted contributor to the betterment of the world through his Bahá'í Faith, winged his flight to the Abhá Kingdom on March 8th, 2025 surrounded by family and friends. Bradford was not born into the Bahá'í Faith and he embarked on a lifelong journey of faith in action and service to humanity when he embraced the teachings of Bahá'ú'lláh in October 2007.
Born on March 12, 1982, in Sunnyside, Washington, to Donald and Cindy Baker, Bradford was the eldest of three siblings. He grew up with his sister and brother, Amanda and Riley George, exploring the vast landscapes of the American West-land he deeply respected as the rightful home of the Yakama Nation. His great-grandmother, Elsie Clark, played an integral role in his upbringing, showering him with affection and indulging him with German delicacies, "spoiling him rotten" in the best way possible.
From an early age, Bradford's intellectual curiosity was undeniable. Identified as gifted in third grade, he won the seventh-grade science fair and graduated high school with both a diploma and an associate's degree-all while maintaining the dashing good looks of a Josh Hartnett doppelgänger. His academic journey took him to the University of Washington, where his passion for travel took flight. He quickly filled the pages of his passport, potentially inspired by the speed of the cheetahs he studied in Namibia-one of many adventures defining his lifelong thirst for knowledge and exploration.
In 2007, after college, Bradford returned home for a year to care for his ailing father, Donald, who had been diagnosed with prostate, lung and brain cancer. This period was a testament to his deep love for and commitment to his family. During this time, he also became actively involved in the Bahá'í community, embracing a life of service and striving to contribute to the betterment of the world through the Teachings of Bahá'ú'lláh, the Prophet-Founder of the Bahá'í Faith. Without proselytizing, Bradford engaged wholeheartedly in Bahá'í life and community building activities. Engaging in discourse and sharing the Teachings of Bahá'ú'lláh, and the
Central Figures of the Faith– 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi, and the Universal House of Justice.
Soon after declaring his Faith in 2007, he arose to serve as a homefront pioneer in the
Seattle-Tacoma area and then participated in the Institute for Studies in Global Prosperity Seminar for University Graduates and Young Professionals (ISGP), an experience that profoundly influenced the coherence and alignment of his spiritual and professional trajectory. His approach to research was shaped by a commitment to generating knowledge that would not merely begin and end in words but would need to contribute to the construction of an ever-advancing civilization.
Bradford later pursued his Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management at the University of Maryland. Had there been a degree in emotional intelligence, he would have undoubtedly graduated summa cum laude-but instead, he dedicated himself to studying why
people behave the way they do in the business world. A lover of books and philosophy, he found joy in weaving ethical questions into the complex fabric of corporate behavior.
A true traveler, both globally and within the U.S., Bradford's journey eventually led him south to
Atlanta, where he quickly became a cherished fixture of the community. Settling in Cabbagetown, he amassed not only friends and admirers but a chosen family, earning the unofficial title of "Mayor of Cabbagetown." Whether enjoying a meal at Carroll Street Café or grabbing a pimento cheese sandwich at Little's, Bradford was always recognizable-dressed in either a three-piece suit or his signature uniform of jeans, a black tank top, and flip-flops. The only constant: a cigar in hand. He embodied both sophistication and approachability, effortlessly navigating the worlds of business and down-to-earth camaraderie.
In 2018, Bradford joined Georgia Tech as an associate professor, challenging the minds of hundreds of students with his unique blend of rigor, humor, and kindness. The following year, he purchased Twin Oaks Farm in Pineview, Georgia, where he embraced regenerative agriculture and community engagement. Through workshops for local farmers and his dedication to enriching the land, he became a steward not only of regenerative farming but also of the world's oldest pecan tree-a symbol of his deep-rooted commitment to growth and legacy.
Bradford's life has been a remarkable manifestation of intellect, adventure, kindness, and service. He is the type of man who decided to run the San Francisco marathon last minute and without any training, just to prove to himself that he could. As his soul is freed from its earthly frame, his lessons, presence, and impact continue to live on in all who knew him-his loved ones, his students, and his community.
The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to Bridgeway Hospice & Palliative Care for their compassion and support, as well as to his Cabbagetown community. He will be laid to rest at Lower Valley Memorial Gardens in Sunnyside Washington. A celebration of life will be held at a later date in honor of his passing once the family has grieved. The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, contributions in Bradford's memory may be sent. To plant trees in memory, please visit the https://bit.ly/bakermemorialtree. He will be deeply missed Those wishing to sign Bradford's online memorial book may do so at www.funeralhomesmith.com
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