Bradford F. Baker's Obituary
Bradford F. Baker, 68, went to be with the Lord Sunday, August 7, 2016, peacefully at home. Born, December 15, 1947, in Memphis, Tennessee, he called Memphis home. A fun-loving athlete, he graduated from White Station High School in 1966, then Memphis State University, and joined the Young Life staff where he served the ministry and the community in various capacities ever since. Brad began a relationship with Jesus at Young Life’s Star Ranch summer camp during high school. His Young Life leader introduced him to Marcia Swett, and they were married August 15, 1971. After spending their honeymoon at a Young Life staff training event, they began a lifetime of ministry together serving in Jackson and Memphis, Tennessee. Over more than 40 years of ministry, Brad and Marcia opened their lives to kids, leaders, and staff. He taught thousands of kids how to love adventure through YL Club, camps, and 24 hour bus rides to Colorado. While teaching many to ski, Brad skied backwards with video camera in hand to capture their joy. He hired countless people who reached kids all over the Mid South and the entire world with the Gospel. Brad believed in people’s potential and called them up to who God was shaping them to be. His greatest joy was seeing teenagers fall in love with Jesus. Not only did Brad lavish the love of Jesus on teenagers and Young Life leaders, the way he loved Marcia exemplified Jesus’ love to everyone they met. His broken heart from losing his beloved Marcia to cancer in 2013 is made whole now that he is in the presence of his Savior. He and Marcia were members of Second Presbyterian Church where he was a member for 36 years, as well as an elder. He faithfully served the ministry of Young Life for over 40 years, retiring in 2014. Brad is survived by his sons and daughters-in-law Chris and Kelli Baker of Albany, Georgia, and Drew and Paige Baker of Memphis, and five grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, Faye and Ray Baker, and his wife Marcia Swett Baker. Visitation for Brad Baker will be Thursday, August 11, 2016, from 3:33-6:00PM at Second Presbyterian Church in the Fellowship Hall. Please enter through the west entrance of the church. Services will be Friday, August 12, 2016, at 10AM in the Sanctuary of Second Presbyterian Church, 4055 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN 38111. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Memphis Metro Young Life, 658 Colonial Road, Memphis, TN 38117. Brad’s legacy is the people whose lives were changed. Help us continue his legacy by sharing his story and the story of Jesus with those around you. Funeral arrangements have been trusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave., Memphis TN 38119. (901) 767-8930. “Celebrating Life….Behind the Stone Wall.”
What’s your fondest memory of Bradford?
What’s a lesson you learned from Bradford?
Share a story where Bradford's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Bradford you’ll never forget.
How did Bradford make you smile?