Larry Joe Baker

Monday, December 14, 2020

Larry Joe Baker, 81, of West Palm Beach, Fla., passed away on Nov. 28, 2020, after a valiant battle with metastatic prostate cancer. Born in Blytheville, on July 17, 1939, Larry was the son of Leondus and Gladys (Brown) Baker.

Larry graduated from Blytheville High School in 1957, earned his BS from Arkansas State College in 1961 and then an MBA from the University of Arkansas in 1962 (“GO HOGS”). He was an honorable and dutiful young man and, soon after graduation, reported to serve in the United States Army. His infantry training was at Fort Polk, La. Later stationed at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii, Larry’s knack for numbers proved to be very useful to the Army.

Following his honorable discharge in 1965, he went to work for a public accounting firm in Little Rock. In 1966, the sunny skies and beautiful beaches of south Florida beckoned him and he accepted an offer as assistant controller of Kassuba Real Estate Development in Palm Beach. Ten years later, Larry transitioned to the financial institution sector and served in the same role at Peoples Federal in Lake Worth. In 1982, he joined Community Savings in North Palm Beach and served as CFO/treasurer for the next 20 years. His career accomplishments were many, ever guided by his strength of character and integrity.

But he will be best remembered for his kindness, his adventurous spirit, and his generosity. He was a great mentor and encourager. He loved seeing people strive to reach their potential, and coached them in their progress. His smile was always the brightest in the room. His love of travel earned him the nickname Larry “Go” Baker – and go he did. Always ready for a road trip or a flight to yet another grand adventure.

After his retirement Larry and his partner Deb Rousseau, who he met at Community Savings, continued to live out their travel dreams with friends – enjoying cruises to Alaska and the Caribbean islands, wine tasting in California, leaf-peeping in New England, driving excursions to numerous states, and exploring Paris and Normandy. He loved sports – especially the Dolphins and Razorbacks, and enjoyed playing golf, basketball, and ping-pong, as well as walking, reading and socializing with their friends. He was an amazing cook. Larry also believed in helping others and giving back to the community, spending countless hours volunteering at the South Florida Fair, SunFest, MorseLife and at a local food pantry.

As his friends will attest, the world was a better place because of Larry. His love for life was infectious; his easy laugh a comfort to others.

His parents and his sister Kathleen Raeburn predeceased Larry. He is survived by his loving wife, confidant, caregiver and love of 23 years, Deborah; his daughter Kelli, and her husband Michael Ivey; his son Timothy Baker; his grandchildren Matthew and Caroline Ivey; as well as relatives in Arkansas.

A very heartfelt thank you to all who have prayed, lit candles, held us up in thought, sent cards and made phone calls during this 40-month battle. You brought us comfort.

Because of the continued health concerns regarding COVID-19, a service will be held in spring 2021 when we can gather more safely.