George Ihrig Baker

George Ihrig Baker was born on July 12, 1933 and went home to the arms of Jesus on August 23, 2016 at the age of 83. He was born in Billings, Montana to Orla and Lillian Baker. He died at home in Bolivar, Missouri from complications of progressive supranuclear palsy. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother-in-law and two sisters-in-law. He is survived by his wife, Susan (John) Baker, his daughter and son-in-law, David and Beth (Baker) Dixon; two sisters and their husbands, Robert and Ruth (Baker) Meyer of Ozark, MO; David and Clara (Baker) Stovall of Abilene, TX; brother and sister-in-law Justin and Dorothy John and his extended family; granddaughter and her husband, Ryan and Laura (Dixon) Bly; grandson Jacob Dixon and grandson Ethan and his wife, Lacey (Ruble) Dixon. He is also survived by four great-grandchildren, Phillip, Anna, Lillian, and Noah Bly; three nieces and five nephews and their families. Visitation will be at First Baptist Church, Bolivar on Friday, August 26 from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. The funeral service will also be at FBC on Saturday, August 27 at 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be given to the Baker/Keathley Church Music scholarship (c/o SBU, Bolivar) or to CMH Hospice. Cards for the family may be sent to P.O. Box 940, Bolivar, MO 65613. George was raised on a dairy farm near Hannibal, MO, graduating from Hannibal High School in 1951. George was awarded a track scholarship from Mizzou his freshman year, but after he changed his major from agriculture to music, he resigned from the track team. George was saved at the age of 9 and was called into full-time ministry as a college student. He married his college sweetheart, Sue John on December 19, 1953 and graduated with a Bachelor of Music in 1955. After graduation from MU, George and his new bride went to New Orleans Baptist Seminary and they both graduated with Masters degrees: George in Church Music, and Sue in Organ Performance. Sue was always at George’s side, his partner, advisor, encourager, best friend and superb accompanist on organ and piano throughout their 62+ years of music ministry and worship leadership in several churches. George and Susan served at Memorial Baptist Church in Columbia, MO; Kenner Baptist Church near New Orleans, LA; West End Baptist Church in Atlanta, GA (where their daughter Beth was born); First Baptist Church in El Dorado, Arkansas; Tallowood Baptist Church in Houston, TX; First Baptist Church of Bolivar, MO; Glenstone Baptist Church in Springfield, MO; and Brighton Baptist Church in Brighton, MO. George was passionate in his love for the Lord and in using his God-given gifts and talents to lead others in worship. He was asked to assist in developing a Church Music degree program at Southwest Baptist (College) University in 1974, and taught in the music department there for eight years, and during his tenure there he and Sue established an annual Church Music Workshop for full and part-time ministers of music to be equipped and encouraged in their work. He was a humble servant-hearted minister, a beloved choir director and teacher/mentor to many students and church members throughout his entire lifetime of service to the Lord. Services are under the care and direction of Butler Funeral Home, Bolivar, Missouri.

George Ihrig Baker

July 12, 1933 - August 23, 2016