Delmar David Baker Jr.
June 15, 1939 – March 21, 2022
Delmar David Baker Jr., age 82, passed away suddenly Monday, March 21, 2022, in Fair Oaks Ranch, Texas. Del was born in Detroit, Michigan, to Del and Mamie Baker when his father was manager of the Detroit Tigers baseball club. Del lived in Cleveland and Boston while his father managed and coached in the Major Leagues.
Del's early years were filled with celebrities (his father introduced him to Marilyn Monroe) and serving as bat boy for the Boston Red Sox, still the favorite team of everyone in Del's family. In 1955, Del's father established an off-season home in San Antonio where Del graduated from Alamo Heights High School in 1957.
Del ran very successful real estate brokerage firms, Del Baker & Associates and Delmar Farms, and was named “Texas Young Businessman of the Year” in 1972. Del enjoyed his work and had an admirable work ethic, but he was passionate about many other things, including collecting, trading and selling arrowheads and artwork, training and racing pigeons, raising cattle, bullfrogs, hunting and, in his later years, nurturing butterflies and growing tomatoes and vegetables which he distributed throughout the neighborhood.
Del had an impish enthusiasm for life that was both contagious and inspiring. He may never have played poker, but he was “all in” on his interests. He would go big, succeed and then sell or donate the fruits of his labor and move on. But he never moved on from his family. Del's pride and generosity toward his children and grandchildren was only surpassed by his fierce and freely expressed love for them.
Del is survived by his son, Delmar David Baker III and his wife, Danielle; daughter Sally Baker Bartlett and her husband, Todd; his six grandchildren, Ellyn Baker, Delmar David Baker IV(Lindsey), Jack Baker, Carolyn Baker, Capt. Ken Bartlett and Nathan Bartlett; as well as his brother, Walter Baker, his wife, Sue, and their children, Stacy Auler and Wally Baker. He is also survived by Martha S. Baker and Sharon J. Baker.
Del's signature hang-up line whenever he was talking to someone he loved was, “Whole wide,” short for “I love you as much as the whole wide world.”
Whole wide, Del! We will always miss you!
Graveside services are at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, March 30, at Resurrection Cemetery, 11624 Culbera Road in San Antonio.
You are invited to sign the Guestbook at www.porterloring.com. Arrangements with Porter Loring Mortuary North, 2012 North Loop 1604 East, San Antonio, Texas 78232, 210-495-8221.
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