Troy "Tate" Gene Baker

He was born January 22, 1963, to Dewey “Sonny” and Connie Baker in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and described by family as a “sweet boy.” Raised in Hereford and Amarillo, Texas, he attended Caprock High School as part of the Class of 1981. His maternal grandparents, Herb and Lucille Edwards, were pivotal in his growing up years. Tate spent many hours at their laundromat and loved big family gatherings at their home on Star Street in Hereford. Grandpa Herb is who gave him the nickname, “Tater.” His mother, Connie, introduced Tate to Texas two-stepping, and he was a good dancer.

Tate worked from the time he had a driver’s permit. Even before the school day started, he was checking wheat pasture cattle and riding for feed yards as a pen rider. His cowboy skills were honed through hours in the saddle. In high school, he competed in bareback riding, team roping and bull riding. He also was a proud FFA member and enjoyed showing sheep.

Tate worked as a structural steel ironworker before an injury forced a career change. He worked in the printing industry for a decade as a bindery operator in Amarillo and then several years as a journeyman sheet metal worker. He attended Amarillo College and in 2003 achieved his Industrial Maintenance Certification. He finished his career doing 20 years of work focused on commercial HVAC and building maintenance. Most recently, he was working at Community Hospital-North Campus OKC.

In 1989, he married Leslie Sowder, and they had a son, Hagan, and later daughter, Hadley. In 2003, the family moved to Oklahoma City for work. Although they divorced after two decades, Tate and Leslie remained close for their children. He was over-the-moon excited to become a grandpa this fall— anticipating Hagan and Brogan’s new arrival—and for Hadley to begin college at OSU.

In Amarillo, Tate played on a competitive slow-pitch softball team with many life-long friends. He raced dirt bike motorcycles as a young man and for the past 15 years rode touring motorcycles, most recently his Indian Roadmaster. He has many friends who ride and who provided support to him during times of need. His best partner and riding buddy for life is his brother, Jerry.

He enjoyed smoking meat and barbecuing for friends. He also loved to hunt and fish and was a fan of 80s hard rock, attending Motley Crue concerts three times with Hagan. With Hadley, he was a good rodeo queen dad, helping her prepare her horses for competition, rodeos and parades. Family members will always cherish his humorous “Tate-isms,” those funny stories and lines that seem endless.

He is survived by his mother, Connie Baker of Guthrie; his brother, Jerry Baker (Jacque) of Morenci, Arizona; his sister, Jodi Baker, of Stevensville, Montana; his son Hagan Baker (Brogan) of Whitehouse, Texas; and daughter, Hadley Baker of Edmond, Oklahoma; his stepmother, Betty Baker Starkey of Downey, Idaho; and beloved extended family members.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Baker family to help Tate’s daughter and grandson with college expenses. Memorial checks should be made to Hagan Baker, 1601 Waterton Cir, Whitehouse, TX, 76791-9552 or Venmo @HTBaker.

A celebration of life for Tate will be held at 2:00 pm, September 1st, 2023 at Baggerley Funeral Home located at 930 S. Broadway, Edmond, OK 73034.

If you are sending flowers, please have them delivered to Baggerley Funeral Home, 930 S. Broadway, Edmond, OK 73034.

If you are not able to attend Tate's Celebration of Life, you may watch it via livestream. https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTY5MTg4OTE5MjI2NjUwOCZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw==