Ken Baker

Kenneth "Ken" Michael Baker, devoted husband, father, Big Daddy, and brother, passed away surrounded by family on Wednesday, December 10, 2025. He was the steady center of his family, a man who showed up, worked hard, kept his word, and was endlessly interesting: a cattleman, storyteller, pilot, leatherworker, and lawman. He lived fully and honestly with an unwavering love for his people and the land he called home.
Ken was born July 27, 1947, at Orange Memorial Hospital in Orlando, Florida, and raised in Kissimmee, where the Baker and Hall families had deep roots. He was named for two influences that shaped the direction of his life, world champion bull rider Ken Roberts and the archangel Michael, a pairing that reflected the faith of his mother, Tillie, and the cowboy spirit of his father, S. E. "Pete" Baker. His childhood revolved around farming, ranching, rodeo, and discipline. Pete, tall, lean, and tough as rawhide, lived by the value of a man's word. Tillie, small in stature but mighty in spirit, poured her heart into raising him, ensuring he attended Catholic school, enrolling him in dancing, music, and speech lessons, and, with Grandma Divirgilio's encouragement, accordion lessons, even though Ken had his heart set on the guitar. Grandpa Divirgilio was a farmer, and Ken spent countless hours helping him, learning the value of hard work, responsibility, and showing up day after day. From both sides of his family, Ken inherited grit, pride, humor, determination, and a devotion to family.
Ken graduated from Osceola High School in 1965 after spending his teenage year's rodeoing, playing football, working for WH Morris Corp., and helping his father with endless projects. He competed in high school and amateur rodeos and later in college rodeos while attending Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas. During this time, he learned leatherwork from his uncle Lawrence, often trading handmade pieces for more material at Big Bend Saddlery.
After returning home, Ken married his childhood sweetheart, Joni, on August 16, 1968. The two first noticed each other downtown near the Rexall drug store. Ken, 12 years old at the time, struck by her long brown hair, went home that day to tell his mother he had found the girl he was going to marry. Together, they built a life marked by 57 years of partnership, devotion, and love.
In 1970, Ken was nominated by his father-in-law, Art Logsdon, to join the Silver Spurs Riding Club, beginning decades of involvement with the organization. Two years later, he embarked on what would become a distinguished law enforcement career at the Osceola County Sheriff's Office. Serving in patrol, criminal investigations, and narcotics, Ken earned a reputation for sharp instincts, integrity, and tireless dedication. Sheriff E. P. "Kayo" Murphy once called him the best homicide investigator he ever had. When the office acquired its first airplane, Ken earned his pilot's license, becoming the agency's first pilot. He served nearly three decades, retiring in 2000 after eight years as Chief Deputy under Sheriff Charlie Croft.
Ken's leadership extended beyond law enforcement. In the late 1980s, he served four years as PRCA Southeastern Circuit President and also began driving for Florida Coach, driving for bands including the Beastie Boys, Poison, UB40, Def Leppard, Mötley Crüe, James Taylor, Bonnie Raitt, and the Foo Fighters. Even after retiring from the Sheriff's Office, he continued picking up overdrives and filling in as needed.
Alongside his professional pursuits, Ken maintained a lifelong passion for cattle and rodeo stock. He was deeply involved in the family's commercial cattle business and later established Rafter 3 bucking bulls, raising bulls 34 Orange Blossom Special and 155 RC, that bucked off world champions and 27 Baker Act, who qualified for the 2020 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. His dedication to the Silver Spurs Club endured for decades, serving as a liaison for the Sheriff's Office, a longtime stock committee member, and eventually joining the Silver Spurs Board in 2021.
Beyond his titles and accomplishments, Ken had a tremendous impact on his family and friends. He was generous with his time, his resources, and his advice on what you oughta do, always willing to share what he knew with anyone willing to listen. He believed in teaching by example and conversation, passing along wisdom through the time he spent with people. More than once, he would say, "Stick with me and you might learn something," and time with him proved that to be true. Nothing with him was ever ordinary; you never quite knew what you were going to get into, but you always came away better for it. To those who loved him, he hung the moon, and the stars too.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Pete and Tillie Baker. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Joni Baker; their four children, Chris (Casey) Baker, Joey (Nellie) Baker, Katie (Vince) Lord, and Jake (Rebecca) Baker; his grandchildren, Scout (Lane) Foster, Logan Baker (Jason Hackett), Brooks Baker, Aubrey Baker, Caleb Williams, Avery Williams, Chase Lord, and Drake Lord; his sister, Byllee K. Baker; his brother, Bret (Vanna) Baker; and many beloved nieces, nephews, and greats.
In the days since his passing, the messages the family received remind them of the truth they all knew: Ken had a way of making everyone feel like family from the moment they met him. Faithful, steady, and good, he is leaving a legacy that will continue through the generations who follow him and the stories he passed down. He lived a remarkable, unforgettable life, and he is deeply, deeply loved.
Graveside services for Ken Baker will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 27, 2025 in Crockett, Texas, on the Kin Ranch, a property they bought this year to hunt in the fall, raise bucking stock, and to be closer to the kids and grandkids. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches, Inc. P.O. Box 2000, Boys Ranch, Florida 32064.