Don Baker (Bolivar)'s Obituary
In God's perfect plan, James Donald Baker, was born into this world on November 7, 1930. Don was born in the family home in Brown Branch, Missouri, the son of John Calvin and Riffie Ashwell Baker. The word faith describes his life, moving calmly yet purposefully through the years, a man who sought God with all his heart. Don's final step on his journey of faith came when his soul was carried away May 22, 2018 to continue his eternal relationship with His loving Heavenly Father. And now, his faith has become sight.
Don was a scholar. He was inquisitive and innovative, and he loved a good challenge. Growing up on the farm was an education in itself, but Don also maintained a strong commitment to formal education. He graduated from Hollister High School, Southwest Baptist College, William Jewell College, Central Seminary in Kansas City, and later obtained his doctoral degree in theology from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
Don was a family man. He met the love of his life, Pat Hoffmeister, while they were students at Southwest Baptist College. They were married in Jackson, Missouri on June 22, 1952. Don and Pat consistently showed Christ-like love to their three girls, Pamela, Dana, and Beth. Don baptized each of his daughters, 6 grandchildren and one son-in-law after they decided to commit their lives to Christ. Years later, he performed the marriage ceremonies of his 3 daughters and his three married grandchildren. He consistently planned meaningful and fun activities that created wonderful memories for his family, including his six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Don was a minister. He was a pastor in Southern Baptist churches in Marshall Junction, MO; Drexel, MO; Corning, AR; and Clifton, LA. Additionally, he dedicated himself to help start a new church in Jefferson City in the 1970's, Concord Baptist. After leaving the full-time pastorate, Don preached at countless churches throughout Missouri and then taught the Sellabration Sunday School Class at First Baptist, Bolivar. In addition to his work in churches, Don shared his God-given talents when he was the Director of Public Relations at SWBC (1957-1966) and Director of Public Relations at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (1967-1971). Dr. Baker, as his students called him, taught in the theology department at SBU from 1976-1996. He especially enjoyed his role as Director of In-Service Training, helping college students in some of their first experiences as church leaders.
Don was a tender man, with beautiful blue eyes, a richly-toned voice, and hands that were strong yet tender. His family loved hearing the stories he would frequently tell during canoe trips, driving to grandkids' sports events, fishing along a river bank, or camping on a sand bar. Don always wanted to have a project to work on. When he ran into unforeseen complications in a project, he would say, It's not a problem. It's a challenge. His expert craftsmanship is seen in the many pieces of furniture he has built for family members. Traveling was a favorite activity, including mission trips to foreign countries such India, Bolivia, and Malawi. Another activity that Pat claims Don enjoyed was transplanting bushes and flowers for her each year all over their yard. He and Pat were often side-by-side, with Don editing Pat's writing projects, sitting together in church and singing well-loved hymns, taking walks in their neighborhood or at the SBU Wellness Center, and having their daily prayer and Bible reading each morning after breakfast.
Pat is positive that Don's happiest mornings during his retirement years were the ones when he could go flying. He believed that his desire to fly, which began when he was a boy, was something that God led him to fulfill after a forty-year wait. On several occasions, Don said that flying was a gift from God to him.
Now Don's family will continue his legacy. By the grace of God, they will move forward in a way that honors Don and glorifies Christ. Family members include his devoted wife, Pat; daughters Pamela Bultmann and her husband, Nelson; Dana Harrigan and her husband, Pat; Beth Grabowski and her husband, Mark. The grandkids who will forever treasure the love and influence of their Pepaw are Julia Hornung (and husband, Nate), Brian Harrigan, Jim Grabowski (and wife, Taylor), Michael Bultmann, Kelsey Harrigan, and Amy Varner (and husband, Robert). The great-grandchildren who will continue to benefit from the influence of Pepaw are Truman, Cecelia, Porter, and Wallace Hornung; and Sarah Varner.
Instead of flowers, friends may honor Don Baker by contributing to S.O.A.R. (Service Oriented Aviation Readiness) at the Bolivar Municipal Airport or the Baker-Hoffmeister Preaching Scholarship at SBU.
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