Buddy Wayne Baker

Writing a meaningful obituary for Buddy Baker is like trying to describe wonder, extreme kindness or the most breathtaking experience you’ve ever had. The complete story of Buddy isn’t known by any individual, but resides in the experiences of friends and family who knew and loved him, and lived a slice of life with him. When his grandson tried to describe Buddy’s adventurous life to friends, they refused to believe him. Many of us consider Buddy the real “most interesting man in the world.”

Buddy was in love with life in every way imaginable. He traveled the world solo, with a backpack, completely immersing himself in local culture. He led and joined mission trips to Appalachia, Mexico, Cuba and Nicaragua and funded countless other humanitarian and relief projects. His motorcycle exploits are legendary: he decided to start drag racing a Harley in his seventies; rode from border to border and coast to coast as fast as he could; rode the perimeter of the US and through Alaska. He had 600+ skydives. He sailed singlehandedly from San Diego to the Sea of Cortez. He has a fossil, the Bakeroceras, named after him at the Smithsonian Institution. It would take pages and pages to write the Buddy adventure story.

Buddy was an Army veteran, completely and passionately devoted to and in love with his country.

On a deeper level, we knew Buddy as a humble man, not much of a talker, who built and nurtured friendships that will last forever. Saying he was generous is too big an understatement. He gave with his heart open, touching the lives of thousands of people who would never know him. He did it quietly, without any desire for recognition – the real definition of giving.

His love story with Donna is exquisite and enchanting, full of the purest love imaginable. They were best friends, inseparable from the first time they met, and their bond is forever unbreakable.

Buddy’s love for family came from his very core. His Scotty B and Kay Baby filled his heart and made him whole. With his brothers Steve and Jerry, a shared childhood grew into a brotherhood of love and exaggerated stories. The grandchildren, greats, nieces, and nephews all completed his circle of love. He was their hero, mentor, adventurer, role model – the crazy, unpredictable relative who would always surprise them.

Buddy emptied his bucket list, inspiring us to step out, take that risk, try something ridiculously exciting, love with every cell in your body. That is his true gift to us.

A celebration of life will be held in late September. To receive updates, please email Donna at [email protected].

In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a donation to the Belize Education Project, for which Buddy was the very first patron. Please send your check to 2437 Reed Street, Lakewood, CO 80214. Electronic payment is not available.