Russell Lewis Baker

Russell Lewis Baker, 72, of Bluffton SC passed Wednesday morning, April 20th at home surrounded by his wife and children.

He was born August 21, 1949 to the late Kenneth Baker Jr and Phyllis Pickard in Jamestown, NY.

He married his best friend Cheryl Baker on June 12 1971 and they were inseparable until his passing.

Russ had many fond memories of growing up in Jamestown NY, being active in the Red Raiders marching band, and being a “soda jerk” at the local drug store.

He graduated from Fredonia  State University of New York with a degree in mathematics.  He was a math teacher at Maple Grove Jr/Sr High School in Bemus Point, NY from 1971 until 1990 before moving to Columbia, MD and becoming a professor at Howard Community College from 1991 until retiring in 2012.  He retired to Sun City in Bluffton, SC and continued to tutor students at the Technical College of the Lowcountry.

Over the years Mr. Baker enjoyed singing, musicals, directing and choreography.  He participated in many performances throughout the years, with Maple Grove, Howard County Summer Theater, Miracle Players and The Sun City Harmonizers.

He was also active in Church. He sang in the Living Christmas Tree at First Covenant in Jamestown NY, and attended First Presbyterian in Columbia Maryland.  He also helped plant New Spirit Community Church in Columbia Maryland where he cultivated life long friendships during their weekly Bible Study.  He then attended Low Country Community Church in Bluffton SC.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his son Richard Baker, and grand-daughter Eryka Phillips.

He is survived by loving family including wife Cheryl Baker, three children, Jennifer Simpson, Jeannie Boucher and James Baker; 6 grandchildren, Stephen Baker, Lindsey Boucher, Samantha Warren, Scott Snow, Ansel Baker, and Josephina Baker; 2 great-grandchildren, Lance Warren and Rylee Grimm.