Watt Kenneth (Kenny) Baker graduated from the flesh on March 12, 2019. He passed peacefully after being bed ridden for a few days. Kenny was born February 6, 1934 to Lola Mae Reed and Samuel Lynn Baker, Sr. of Burnet County-Joppa, Bertram area. He grew up as a middle child of 12 children, graduating with honors (it was an honor that he graduated) from Bertram High School in 1953. He married Ollie Ann Rippy from Smithwick on June 1, 1955. They made their home and raised their children in Smithwick. Kenny spent 30 years as an Asbestos worker, driving every day to either Austin or Fort Hood to apply his trade. He was diagnosed with Asbestosis in 1981, and considered it a gracious act that he could live another 38 years. In 1983 he was elected as a Burnet County commissioner of Precinct 3 and served in that capacity for 3 terms. He retired in 1993.
Kenny is preceded in death by his parents and by his youngest son Leslie Elroy. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Ollie Ann. He is also survived by his children; Sandra Sue Lilly Kloman and husband Whitney, Kenneth Linvel Baker and wife Shirley, Elizabeth Ann Kuhn, and Lauris Lynn Baker and wife Cheryl. He lost his youngest son, Leslie, in 1975 at the age of 10 to Hodgkins lymphoma cancer. He is survived by 6 grandchildren and spouses: Whitney Kay Goble and husband Andis, Kaleb Lane Baker, Kendra Lauren Hopkins and husband Joseph, Taylor Brent Baker, Shelby Lynn Baker and fiance’ Lance Taylor, and Wyatt Blackston. He is also survived by 8 great grandchildren, Angela, Katie, McKenzy, Makayla and Paxton Goble, Baker and Bennett Hopkins, and Cayden Taylor.
Kenny loved to hunt and fish. He particularly enjoyed years of varmint hunting with Gary Hulsey and spent many days on Lake Travis catching catfish. He did not like yard, garden or house work but loved to barbeque, goat being his specialty. Kenny was a 60 year member of the Smithwick Church of Christ. Ollie Ann embalmed him with 63 years of Nutrilite (Amway) vitamins!
Visitation will be Friday, March 15, 2019 from 6-9 pm at the Smithwick Church of Christ. Funeral service will be Saturday, March 16, 2019 at 11:00 am also at the Smithwick Church of Christ with burial at the Smithwick Cemetery.
Pallbearers: Kaleb Baker, grandson, Taylor Baker, grandson, Wyatt Baker, grandson, T.J. Dodd, nephew, Jeff Dodd, nephew, Scooter Rippy, nephew, Troy Troupe, nephew and Mark Troupe, nephew.
Honorary Pallbearers: Andis Goble, grandson-in-law, Joseph Hopkins, grandson-in-law, Lance Taylor, grandson-in-law and Jeff Williams, family friend.
