Robert "Bob" Baker

Robert "Bob" Walter Baker, born June 3, 1942, in Fort Stockton, Texas, passed away peacefully on September 23, 2025, in Loveland, Colorado surrounded by the love of the Lord and his family. A Celebration of Life will be held on October 13, 2025, at Calvary Bible Church in Erie, Colorado.
Bob was the son of George and Emily Baker (née Brengle). His youth was spent in Fort Stockton, where he enjoyed a variety of adventures with his many Baker siblings. He raised animals for the local 4-H Club, rode around town on his beloved horse Butterfly, played trombone in the high school band, and had a short stint as a member of the Panthers, his high school football team. He was an active Boy Scout and attained the rank of Eagle Scout. As a teenager, he worked as a disc jockey for local radio station KFST, where he became personally acquainted with Roy Orbison.
Bob met his future wife Carol Jenness at the University of Texas at El Paso, where he was the editor of the campus newspaper and earned a B.A. in Journalism. He and Carol married in 1963 and enjoyed a 50-year marriage until Carol's passing in 2014. He worked for the El Paso Times as the agricultural and regional editor while finishing his degree. In 1964, Bob was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. He served on active duty at the Army Air Defense Artillery branch at Fort Bliss, where he was appointed adjutant to the Commanding Officer of Special Troops. He was promoted to First Lieutenant in August 1966. After leaving the military in 1967, Bob moved his young family back to Fort Stockton to join his father and oldest brother Frank in the family newspaper business, where he served as an owner and editor of the Fort Stockton Pioneer.
In 1969, Bob entered law school at Texas Tech University, launching a new chapter of service through the legal profession. During law school he continued to use his journalism skills as a contributor to the Lubbock Avalanche Journal and the managing editor of Texas Tech Law Review. After graduating, he practiced law in El Paso for three years before returning to Fort Stockton, where he partnered with Martin Adams from 1974 to 1982. During this time, he also served his community in various civic roles, including First Presbyterian elder, Salvation Army Treasurer and Co-Chair, Lion's Club Director, and Chamber of Commerce Director.
In 1982, Bob and Carol and their four children moved to Denver, where he was a land attorney for Energy Management Corporation. His leadership and expertise enabled him to rise to the position of Senior Vice President and General Counsel in 1987. In 1989, he opened a solo law practice in the area, while simultaneously embracing his pastoral calling as executive pastor for Vineyard Christian Fellowship in Boulder. He was actively involved in youth ministry and taught pre-marriage classes. He and Carol shared a passion for marriage ministry and started their own organization, Marriage Foundations of Colorado. They even hosted a weekly radio show on KPOF in Denver. In recognition of his spiritual leadership, Bob was named Colorado Pastor of the Year by the Rocky Mountain Family Council in 2003. He served for many years on the Board of Directors of the Alternatives Colorado, Boulder Pregnancy Resource Center, and Her Choice Pregnancy Center in addition to providing on-call advice as needed.
In 2022, Bob was honored by the State Bar of Texas for 50 years of continuous law practice, receiving an award for Meritorious Service to the Community, State, and Nation. He continued to operate a solo law practice in Timnath, Colorado, serving clients with the same integrity and care that defined his career.
Bob was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 50 years, Carol Jenness Baker, who passed in 2014. Together, they built a life of enduring love and partnership, raising four children who have carried forth their faith and values: Leslie (Terry) McIntosh, Christie (Mike) Dee, Amy (Liam) Lefkowicz, and Brad (Carrie) Baker. Bob was married to Carolyn (Franklin) Baker from 2015 until his death, gaining three new daughters, Keri (Nate) Ladd, Christy (Jeremy) Jiron and Julie (Mike) Kaplan.
Bob was also preceded in death by his brothers Frank, Sam, and Chris Baker, as well as a baby sister, Janet. He is survived by his loving siblings Anne (John) Gifford, Kay (Yannick Wets) Baker, and John (Anne) Baker.
Nothing brought Bob more joy than his grandchildren – his cherished "Baker's Dozen" of 13: Lindsay Dee (Nate) Billington, Hannah Dee (Hayden) Scott, Nathan Dee, Emily Dee (Noah) Korenchuk, Kate Maegley, Ryan Maegley, Tyler Lefkowicz, Brendan Lefkowicz, Megan Lefkowicz, Olivia Baker, Jackson Baker, Lucy Baker, and Eli Baker. He gained eight more grandchildren in 2014 and 2015, including Kamryn McIntosh, Konnor McIntosh, Jacob Ladd, Emma Ladd, Josh Jiron, Maley Jiron, Brayden Kaplan, and Adyson Kaplan. He was overjoyed to welcome three great-grandchildren over the past three years: Elise and Zachariah Billington and Lennon Scott. Affectionately known as "Papa B" to all his grand and great grandkids, he celebrated each of their milestones with pride and joy.
Bob gave the gift of life to others by being an organ donor. The family invites donations in Bob's memory to Boulder Pregnancy Resource Center, Birthline of Loveland or Global Orphan Relief. His ashes will be interred at the Broomfield Cemetery beside Carol's at a future date.
A devoted follower of Jesus, Bob was led by the steadfast belief that his Savior walked beside him. His faith and his desire to share it with others guided much of his life, from his role as a husband and father to his legal career, pastoral and marriage ministry, and civic leadership. Bob's legacy is one of faith, service, and strength. He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him.