Dr. George A. Baker, age 85, of Granbury, Texas, passed away Sunday, July 22, 2012. He was at home, surrounded by his loving wife and family when he went to live with God.
Born April 30, 1927, in Boston, Massachusetts, he served in the Marines from January 1945 through August 1946 and returned home to complete both Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees from Boston University. He accepted his first teaching position in the South where he served as band director in three Alabama school systems. There he met the love of his life, Sara Gray of Albertville, Alabama, and they were united in marriage on December 23, 1955.
Spurred by his life-long love of learning, George Baker continued his studies and earned a Ph.D. in music from Peabody College of Vanderbilt University with post-doctorate work at Harvard University.
Dr. Baker served as chairman of the Music Department at Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas from 1962 to 1980 and was named dean of the School of Music in 1987. He was awarded the Medal of Service from Howard Payne University in 1995 and, even after his retirement in 1998, Dr. Baker remained active as a member of the HPU President’s Development Council from 2005 to 2012. During his 36-year tenure, he taught music history, music theory, music appreciation, conducting and trumpet to countless students who revered him. He was known for his unfailing intellect, wit, eloquence and ultimate kindness.An accomplished trumpeter, he started HPU’s Faculty Jazz Band in the early 1990s. Earlier, while in Alabama, he played professionally with the Birmingham Symphony and the Birmingham Pops Orchestra, and spent three years as assistant conductor and member of the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra.
Dr. Baker was greatly loved and admired by his family and friends. His unstinting loyalty and integrity was an inspiration and a guidepost. In the words of his grandson, “My grandfather is one of the most important people in my life. He has taught me that by following my passion, I can be happy and successful. He never sacrificed anyone’s accomplishments for his own personal gain. He always treated people with respect and greeted everyone with a smile.”
The Bakers were longtime members of First Baptist Church in Brownwood. After their retirement, the couple moved to Granbury where they joined First Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 57 years, Sara Baker; daughters Alicia and husband Brian Gerber of Dallas, Texas, and Allison and husband Scott Beyer of New Canaan, Connecticut; and grandchildren Austin Gerber, Reese Gerber, Sara Beyer and Rachel Beyer. He is preceded in death by his parents and a brother. A memorial service will be held August 25, 2012, at 2 p.m., in Mims Auditorium at Howard Payne University, Brownwood, Texas. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to The George and Sara Baker Endowed Scholarship Fund, Howard Payne University, P.O. Box 2369, Brownwood, TX 76804.
