Lawrence S. Baker

1942 - 2018

August 27, 1942 - October 25, 2018
On Thursday October 25th, 2018, our community lost a man who lived to serve others.

Lawrence S. Baker was a business man, a storyteller, a husband, a father, and a servant dedicated to helping anyone in need. He passed away from complications of cancer surrounded by his children and beloved bride, Tamera Baker, at the age of 76.

Larry led an extraordinary life.

Born August 27, 1942 in Detroit, Michigan, his mother feared he would not live through the month. But, Larry was a fighter.

At the young age of 21, he was appointed Executive Director of the Wayne County Republican Committee in Michigan. He left that position to join the staff of Secretary George Romney at the Department of Housing and Urban Development in Washington D.C., where he often joked that he had the privilege of being fired and re-hired by George three times.

From there he travelled the world in the Peace Corps where he had several responsibilities including serving as Country Director for Sierra Leone. Africa stayed dear to his heart for the rest of his life.

Returning to the United States, he and his then wife and lifetime business partner, Helen Baker, formed a consulting firm running political campaigns and non-profit fundraising.

They moved to San Antonio, Texas, in 1978, where he served as Associate Dean of the Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara, which started their lifelong involvement in healthcare, including owning multiple companies in home health and medicine in Texas and New Mexico.

Larry's greatest pride, other than his children, was the non-profit, Disability Services of the Southwest, which he rescued with Helen from bankruptcy 16 years ago and expanded into a statewide provider of long-term health care services and supports, now serving over 10,000 adults and children with chronic diseases or disabilities. He was a beloved CEO and Chairman of the Board.

Aside from his impressive professional accomplishments, Larry was an avid historian and greatly admired Winston Churchill, on whom he collected memorabilia.

He was a lifelong fan of the Detroit Tigers and Pistons, the Washington Redskins and, naturally, the San Antonio Spurs, purchasing his first season tickets in 1989.

He had a passion for all life could offer: food, travel, music (especially jazz and gospel), politics, and family. He was also a successful gambling man with a strange affinity for slot machines, which regularly gave up their riches for his pockets. He blamed this skill on his pacemaker and said it was necessary to cover the gambling losses of Tamera.

He was athletic as a young man, playing football, rowing crew, and taking up the habit of golf which he played for over 60 years. He has been a member of Sonterra Country Club since 1982.

Larry never forgot the first time he outplayed his Dad at the age of 16. And, as well, his hole-in-one on September 10th, 1993.

Larry's faith in God has always been central to his life. He had no fear of death. He has been a member of Trinity Baptist Church for many years, and also served as an Elder with St Andrew's Presbyterian.

He touched so many lives and was always eager to help, generously sharing his financial successes with anyone in need. He would always say, "Money is like water; it comes and it goes."

He is preceded in death by his parents Paul and Thelma Marie Baker. He is survived by his wife of over 17 years, Tamera Baker, his sisters Patricia Palk and Paula McDonald, his twin brother Steve Baker, his children R. Christopher and Christina Baker of Jefferson City, MO, Joanna and Stephen Harper of Bozeman, MT, Julie and John Thompson of Cincinnati, OH, Lawrence N. and April Baker of San Antonio, TX, Marjorie and Corey Costello of San Marcos, TX, and stepchildren Briana and Michael Coulter of La Vernia, TX and Karri and Travis Lusk of San Antonio, TX. Then there are his 9 wonderful grandchildren: R. Patrick, Emory, Pryor, Anthony, Jacob, Jarod, Larissa, L. Braeden, and Beatrice.

Services will be held at Trinity Baptist Church at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, November 9th. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, www.pancan.org.