Steven Lee Baker

Steven Lee Baker, born April 30, 1947, passed away peacefully in his sleep on July 6, 2025, in Orange County, California. He lived a full life for 78 years and bravely toughed out a long battle with Parkinson’s. It was fitting that he went to be with Jesus just a few days after the 4th of July, a holiday he loved - representing strength, perseverance and freedom….all so true to the way he lived his life.

Steve was born in Evansville, Indiana, to Dorothy Marie Garrett and Robert Dale Baker of Posey, Indiana. Steve, along with his older brother Bob (the Baker Boys), grew up in Southern California and lived many adventures, surfing, skiing, fishing, camping, studying reptiles and nature, loving and making good music, and pursuing various artistic endeavors, breaking hearts with his good looks, towering stature, quick-wit, unmatched sense of humor, fiery spirit and old fashioned country-boy know-how. He grew to love and play folk and bluegrass music, and he played it well, from Grass Valley Bluegrass Festivals to the Swallows Inn in San Juan Capistrano, to the Station Inn in Nashville, and, of course, the front porch at home. Steve was a true businessman, always wheelin’ and dealin’ and making many lifelong friends along the way. Steve was, in his own words, one of the rare people blessed to have been able to turn his hobby (a love for music and vintage instruments), into a career, where he spent many years travelling the world, to ultimately help amass what would become known as one of the world’s largest and most comprehensive private collections of rare American vintage stringed instruments in the world at the time, (particularly Banjos), with showrooms in Beverly Hills, Tokyo and Newport Beach. He was an expert on the details of things, whether it was about a pre-war Martin D45, a 1925 Vega tubaphone 5-string, or just exactly how to prepare a killer Monte Cristo sandwich. He had the eagle eye on spotting things that were truly “one-of-a-kind”. Steve was always the most generous to share whatever he had - his knowledge, his passion for the Lord, or a piece of that perfect sandwich.

He lived more life than most, from Indiana to Malibu, Kyoto to Bora Bora - making friends and sharing Jesus everywhere he went…wild and free. In his own words, his beautiful wife, Wendy, was the love of his life, and there was no greater gift than becoming a parent.

Steve leaves this world’s adventures to his two daughters, Sara Jane Erin Fahy and Logan Casey Lee Baker, his son-in-law, Garrett M. Fahy, and his three beloved grandchildren, Leeland Reena Jane Courtney (10 yrs), Isaiah Garrett Nathanael Fahy (3 yrs), and Victoria Sofia Jane Fahy (10 months).

He loved his family and Jesus above all and never hesitated to say it; he so loved sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with most everyone he ever met. Steve gave his heart to Jesus at age 13 where he knelt down in the middle of the street near his boyhood home with a friend, and prayed the “sinner's prayer.” His faith was solidified in the 1970s at a Billy Graham Crusade. Through life’s many joys, struggles and hardships, he continued to grow his faith and bible knowledge through the years, never giving up, and always leading his children and grandchildren to the gospel truth. Steve often attended bible studies at Calvary Chapel, Costa

Mesa, under the late Pastor Chuck Smith and alongside Pastor, fellow musician, and dear friend, Oden Fong, who now pastors Poeima Christian Fellowship.

Steve is profoundly missed already and his family and friends can’t wait to see him again…free from all pain and worldly worries, where he will likely be surfing, fishing, hiking, skiing, building, playing harp and banjo, throwing knives, cracking jokes and cracking bullwhips until they meet him again soon at home in heaven. He is saving a spot for you too.

Thank you for the many years of prayers and support.

Steve’s life will be honored in nature with close friends and family.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made by:

● Adding a personal thought, memory, photo or encouragement in the memories section below

● Considering, in Steve’s honor, attending either an upcoming church service or one of Greg Laurie’s Harvest Crusades, where Steve brought his daughters and invited many other people to hear the good news of Jesus https://harvest.org/harvest-crusade-2025/

● Or you may give to Dad’s last home church, Poiema Christian Fellowship, under Pastor and long-time friend, Oden Fong, https://www.odenfong.com/.

● Or just get yourself a Bible and a highlighter and go to town like Dad did.

“With love, daughters Sara Fahy and Logan Baker”