Randy BAKER

Ferris
July 29, 1918 - Apr 8, 2005
Randy
Jan 5, 1957 - Feb 11, 1984

Reverend Ferris Coy Baker, of Conway, died Friday, April 8, 2005, in Conway Regional Hospital following a brief illness after surgery. Having retired from Hendrix College in 1986 as emeritus professor of sociology, he was also a United Methodist minister who served as Wesley Foundation director at Texas A & M and North Texas State universities.

Born on July 29, 1918, to Coy E. Baker and Nellie Virginia Hefner near Cainsville, Missouri, he grew up on a farm. After graduating from Central Methodist College in Fayette, Missouri, he earned divinity and master's degrees at Southern Methodist University. He attended Duke University's postgraduate program in sociology before joining the Hendrix faculty in 1959. He also prepared demographic studies for Arkansas Regional Medical Programs.

In Conway, Ferris was a leader in the Ministerial Alliance, chairman of the Conway Human Relations Council, helped to organize a Head Start program for preschool children and always promoted positive dialogue for race relations in the community. He served as board member and president of the Human Services Center, Faulkner County Center for Aging, Conway Community Arts Association and the Faulkner County Historical Society. He led planning for the Faulkner County Historical Museum. He served as chairman of Conway's United Way and received the Kiwanis International Tablet of Honor.

An active member of First United Methodist Church, he taught Sunday school, sang in the choir, served on the Board of Stewards and enjoyed membership in the Forum Class. In addition to memberships in the United Methodist Historical Society of Arkansas, Inc. and the Methodist Federation of Social Action, he was a past chairman of the Arkansas United Methodists' Board of Church and Society and was dedicated to its concerns for justice, peace, and goodwill in families, neighborhoods and communities. In 1990, he received the Ethel K. Millar Award for Religion and Social Awareness through the Steele Center for Religion and Philosophy at Hendrix.

A violin player from his youth, he enjoyed performing with the Conway Fiddle Band after his retirement. He also relished a turn as "Sandy Faulkner," playing "The Arkansas Traveler" during the county's centennial celebration. As long as possible, he sang with the Conway Men's Chorus. He enjoyed sports; he was a high school and college track athlete, played golf and tennis and supported teams at SMU, for which he was a trainer, and the Hendrix basketball program. His hobbies included reading, bridge, gardening and dancing.

He was predeceased by a beloved son, Randy Baker. Survivors include his wife (58 years) and loving caregiver Marion; two daughters, Judy Goss (Pat) of Little Rock, and Barbara Satterfield (Jim Volkert), of Conway; four grandchildren, Jamie and Margie Goss, Branch Satterfield (Carrie), and Mary Margaret Satterfield; and one great grandson, Lake Satterfield. He is also survived by two sisters, Mrs. Virginia Strong, of Northbrook, Illinois, and Mrs. Frances Stanley, of Luverne, Minnesota; a special cousin, Carl Hefner, of Little Rock, and a host of other relatives and friends whom he encouraged and inspired.

Visitation will be held from 3-5 p.m. Sunday, April 10, at Roller-McNutt Funeral Home in Conway. A graveside ceremony and burial will occur at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, April 11, at Oak Grove Cemetery, and friends are welcome to attend. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, with a reception following. Reverend Charles Murry, will conduct the services with Reverend Aubrietta Jones and Dr. Joel Cooper. The family requests memorials to First United Methodist Church Faith Foundation Fund and Hendrix College Scholarship Fund.

Spouse:
Georgia Marion Yankee Baker
Children:
Thompson Randle Baker (1957 - 1984)

Contributed on 8/6/16 by hawkinsdonna
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Record #: 1151294

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