Spencer Ross Baker

Spencer Ross Baker, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, veteran, and community leader, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 31, 2025, at the age of 75. Born on January 14, 1950 in Memphis, TN, Spencer was the beloved son of the late Charles L. Baker, Sr. and Julia Walker. The third oldest of eight, he spent his childhood splitting time between Memphis and his family’s farm in Mississippi.

He enlisted in the United States Air Force and traveled the world while proudly serving his country. He served honorably for nearly 29 years, retiring as a Chief Master Sergeant. As he neared retirement from the military, he decided to feed his lifelong hunger for knowledge. While raising five children with his wife, he went back to school, earning his bachelor’s from North Carolina Wesleyan College, master’s from Hampton University, and PhD from Old Dominion University. He then entered his second career as a professor at Hampton University. He loved learning about math and statistics so much that he even created his own statistical analysis company and was always ready to share his favorite statistics rap video. He had a deep love for reading, whether it was a Calvin and Hobbes comic, John le Carré spy thriller, or some psychologist’s treatise on the mind. Spencer was deeply active in community service, providing counseling to incarcerated fathers at the Hampton City Jail when living in Virginia and by supporting organizations like Rockwall Helping Hands after his move back to Texas. He was also the President of the Mt. Carmel Ally Board, dedicated to preserving and restoring the historic Mount Carmel Cemetery in Memphis, TN.

He is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Janis H. Baker; their sons, Michael Harbert, Jr. (LaTanya), William Harbert, Sr. (Ján), Stacey Baker, and Melvin Randle, Jr. (LaToya); their daughter, Dominique Baker (Christopher); all 9 of their cherished grandchildren; his sisters, Jeanette, Patty (Samuel), and Amelia (Danny); and a host of relatives and friends. Following in his footsteps, Stacey enlisted in the military and Dominique became a professor. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the American Cancer Society or Rockwall Helping Hands in Rockwall, TX.