For WHOSOEVER SHALL CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED.  Romans 10:13

Mr. Tony R. Baker, the son of Ernest Edward Baker Jr. and Lillian Cornelia Wharton Baker was born on February 14, 1968 in Trigg County.  He entered into eternity March 16, 2022.

He accepted Christ as his personal Savior and joined the Rocky Ridge Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Frank L. Larkins. Later, he joined the Cave Spring Missionary Baptist Cerulean, Ky. where he was a faithful member.  He was the Sunday School Librarian and member of the Usher Board. Tony was a member of The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, Jurisdiction of Oklahoma Lodge No. 9 and reached the Sublime Degree of Master Mason in March of 1996.

Tony (known as "Tater" by some family and friends) was a graduate of Trigg County High School in 1986 and he acquired an Associate Degree from the Sergeant Major (SGM) Academy in 2013.

Tony joined the United States Army in July 1986 and retired honorably in July 2016 after 30 years of service. He served in Giessen, Germany, Fort Polk, LA, Turkey, Fort Sill, OK, Fort Campbell, KY. Baghdad and Kirkuk, Iraq, and Fort Bliss TX.

Tony served in the following positions: Battalion Command Sergeant Major, Operations Sergeant Major, Intelligence Sergeant, First Sergeant, Senior Observer Controller, Platoon Sergeant, Drill Sergeant, Howitzer Section Sergeant, Senior Missile Handler, and Howitzer Driver.

Tony's awards include: Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal Award, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Citation, Army Good Conduct Medal, South West Asian Bronze Star, South West Asian Service Medal, Global War On Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development, Army Service Ribbon, and the Overseas Service Ribbon.  He is a Sergeant Audie Murphy and Sergeant Morales member. He served in every position as a 13B from advance party to Division Operations SGM.

After retiring from the military, he decided to become an expert in one of his hobbies and become a self-employed farmer.  Other interest and hobbies walking, bicycling, watching documentaries, news, and sports.  His favorite sports teams were the Kentucky Wildcats, Pittsburgh Steelers, and San Antonio Spurs. He enjoyed spending time with family and sending early morning texts and calls to his loved ones, friends, and associates. He was always ready to bless and inspire others through his actions.

He is survived by his wife of 32 years (Sept. 2, 1989) Linda Wadlington Baker; Sons: Tony R. Baker Jr. (Elizabeth Cooper), Cerulean, KY and Ivan W. (Jennifer) Baker, Austin, TX; A granddaughter Kalani Grace Baker, Cerulean, KY; Mother Lillian Baker, Cerulean, KY and Father Ernest (Sarah) Baker Jr., Hopkinsville. KY; Brothers: Calvin (Alice) Baker, Cerulean, KY and Tracey (Alice) Baker, Killeen, TX; Sisters: Marie Dunning, Princeton, KY,  Cynthia Baker, Louisville, KY, Ernestine Baker, Cerulean, KY, Sheila (Timothy) Wilson, Cerulean, KY and Sharon Baker, Clarksville, TN, Step-Sisters: Gail Jesse, Hopkinsville, KY, Angelique Monterio, San Antonio, TX; Step-Brothers: Lynn Jesse, Clarksville, TN. David Jesse, Baltimore, MD. Sister-in-Love Veronica Baker, Cerulean, KY; Uncle Ivan Boyd, Cadiz, KY; Aunts: Dorothy Smith, Hopkinsville, KY, Wilma (Robert) Redd, Cadiz, KY, Almeda Wright Cerulean, KY; Great Aunt Irene McGowan, Cerulean, KY., Sisters-in-Law: Verna Watkins, Hopkinsville, KY Rheda Pauline (Kenneth) Gibson, Montclair, VA, Emma Jane Rascoe, Cerulean, KY and Loretta Wadlington, Hopkinsville, KY; Brothers-in-Law: Harris Boyd, Cerulean, KY, Charles (Peggy) Irvin, Jr., Terre Haute, IN, James (Patricia) Wadlington, Evansville, IN, Richard (Greta) Wadlington, Robert (Laura) Wadlington, and Neal (Ella) Wadlington all of Cerulean, KY. Also,, a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends that he loved and cherished.