Edwin Bates "Eddie" Baker Jr.

Edwin "Eddie" Bates Baker Jr., age 83, of Tuscaloosa, AL, passed away on February 11, 2024. Services will be at 2 p.m. on Thursday, February 15, 2024, at Tuscaloosa Memorial Chapel with Rev. Jimmy Garner officiating and burial to follow in Tuscaloosa Memorial Park with military and firefighter honors. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Edwin and Lois Baker, and wife, Susan Hayden Baker.
He is survived by his daughters, Michelle Hallman (Scott) of Moundville, AL and Tina Pearson (Billy) of Tuscaloosa, AL; sisters, Betty Ann Gregory of Dothan, AL and Ivy Lake of Tuscaloosa, AL; grandchildren, Ashley Hallman, Matthew Hallman, and Meredith Pearson all of Tuscaloosa, AL; and great-grandson, Eli Fields.
Eddie was born on April 1, 1940, in Tuscaloosa, AL. He graduated from Tuscaloosa High in 1958 and was a proud Black Bear. He was a Navy Veteran, a member of Tuscaloosa Elks Lodge (past Exalted Ruler) and the Moose Lodge.
Eddie loved his family and friends and didn't hesitate to show them with his thoughtfulness and kindness. He was quick with a story and a dad joke. He was extremely patriotic and proud of his service as a firefighter. He loved being a Paw Paw and attending his grandchildren's many activities. Eddie had the novel idea that people should be on time, be proficient in their job and customer service is becoming a losing art. He could be seen driving around town in his white Ford truck with a red stripe. For many years his truck had a sign on the tailgate reading "Caution this truck is being driven by a blind man", advertising his window blind business. We will miss his advice and our nightly calls after the Wheel of Fortune went off. We love you Dad!
Honorary pallbearers are the 15th Street Hardy Boys, Tuscaloosa High School Class of 1958, Heritage Health Crae Center, Southern Care Hospice, and the Tuscaloosa Fire Department and Honor Guard.