Richard Dee Baker's Obituary
Dick Baker entered into the presence of the Lord September 5, 2011, and we are quite certain he is singing a new song written to praise his Savior! Richard Dee Baker was born May 12, 1927 in Farmersville, Texas to B.O. and Martha Dee Baker. He graduated from Farmersville High School in 1944. His years at Baylor were interrupted by his voluntary service in the Navy near the end of World War II. He graduated from Baylor in 1950. While a student there, Dick became a part of the Youth Revival Movement as a music leader and soloist. He began the Baylor Religious Hour Choir that was an integral part of a campus midweek service and a touring gospel choir that remains an active choir today after 62 years. He also co-wrote the Baylor Fight Song that is still used by the University. After Baylor, Dick earned another degree at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. He married Margaret Ann Self on August 24, 1951. He graduated from seminary in 1953. During his seminary days he served as minister of music at Birchman Avenue Baptist Church in Fort Worth where his brother, Bo Baker was the pastor. Dick left Birchman Avenue Baptist Church in 1956 and went into full time music evangelism. He was a member of the Billy Graham team in the Akron, Ohio Crusade and the New York City Crusade in Madison Square Garden. Soon after, the Lord led him to partner with his brother Bo as an evangelistic team, The Baker Brothers. They traveled the United States and the world for twenty years during their ministry telling people in word and song that Jesus came to save. In 1973, Bo became the pastor of Plymouth Park Baptist Church in Irving, Texas. Dick continued in evangelism, teaming with many wonderful preacher friends and he also served as Vice President of Crescendo Music Publications and Music Coordinator for World Evangelism. By 1980, Prestonwood Baptist Church had called Dick to be their first Minister of Music. He saw the church grow from 75 members to over 6,000 as he served there for the next twelve years. He established the music ministry as one of excellence and creativity as he sought to share the gospel with the people of Dallas. He retired from Prestonwood in 1992 and went back into evangelism until 2007. Dick Baker began composing songs in 1947 and continued writing until this year, 2011. Many of his songs were written with his brother, Bo. He has published over 300 gospel songs, several of which have been translated into other languages and published around the world. Dick received many honors throughout his ministry. Among them were an honorary doctorate from Dallas Baptist University, The Richard Baker Chair of Music Missions and the Evangelism established at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, the George W. Truett Award from Baylor University for Distinguished Church Service, and the L.R. Scarbrough Award from Southwestern Seminary. Dick is preceded in death in 2008 by his precious wife, Ann, and in 2010 by his brother, Bo. He is survived by his son and his wife, Paul and Sallie Baker and by his daughter and her husband, Lori and John Simmons. He is survived by the grandchildren he cherished, Dr. Chris Baker and his wife Dr. Erica Baker, Clint Baker, Will Simmons and his wife Bethany, and Ann Simmons. He is also survived by his brother-in-law and his sister-in-law, James and Gloria Self, sister-in-law, Ruth Baker, and many more dear family members. We want to thank the caregivers at Prestonwood Court Assisted Living that have come along side the family to help our Dad. And most of all, we thank his daily care giver and friend, Mr. Trevor Ngosi. A Celebration Service will be held on Saturday, September 10, 2011, at 2:00 p.m. at Prestonwood Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to the endowment fund at Baylor University for the Baylor Religious Hour Choir. For more information about the life and ministry of Dick Baker you can visit www.HisWayMine.com
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