Walter Lee Baker

Walter Lee Baker died on April 9, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Walter was a Louisiana boy, born in Bastrop on December 26, 1932, to parents Gordon Baker and Helen Pomeroy. Walter and his older brother Gordon (“Don”) lost their mother early in life and learned to lean on each other for support. He had a full life, with 91 years of surprises, laughter, challenges, celebrations, disappointments, some hardships, accomplishments, sadness, celebrations, and much love received and shared. Other than being with family, his favorite pastimes included woodworking, and playing golf with friends, his son Paul, and in his later years, with his daughter, Meg.

He graduated from Centenary College in Shreveport, Louisiana and Yale Divinity School in New Haven, Connecticut where he met the love of his life, Joyce Allen. He was ordained in the United Methodist Church and served as a pastor for several Louisiana congregations before joining the Ecumenical Institute, headquartered in Chicago. As part of this mission, he served as a trusted liaison with the African American community in the Westside of Chicago during the Civil Rights Movement in the late 1960s. The Ecumenical Institute also took him to Detroit, Hong Kong, and Canada to lead numerous church reform initiatives. In 1976, Walter and his family moved to Texas where he led development efforts to support St. Luke’s Hospital and SAMM Ministries for the homeless.

Walter loved people (and animals) and never met a stranger (to the embarrassment of his kids in their early days, and now a source of pride). His Christian faith was the cornerstone guiding his actions and compassion throughout his lifetime.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and by his best friend and brother, Don Baker. Walter is survived by his wife, Joyce Colston Allen Baker; daughter, Laura Dehaven Baker (spouse, Suzanne Craft); son, Walter Paul Baker (spouse, Karen Askew Baker); daughter, Margaret Allen Baker; son, Craig Milton Baker (spouse, Erica Lindstrom Baker); and grandchildren, Joshua Baker Mahan, Peyton Raleigh Mahan (spouse, Amber Paige Mahan), and Quinn Dehaven Baker.

MEMORIAL SERVICEFRIDAY, May 3, 20244:00 P.M (GATHERING AT 3:30 P.M.)ST. FRANCIS EPISCOPAL CHURCH4242 BLUEMEL RD., SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS 78240

Rev. Carrie Guerra will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Center for Refugee Services (https://sarefugees.org/) in honor of his work over the last 15 years to support Refugees who have relocated to San Antonio to start a new life.

Walter will be greatly missed but his spirit will be in our hearts always.