Mr. Terrell Talmage Baker, Jr.

March 26, 1920 - February 13, 2016

Terrell Talmage Baker, Jr., resident of Westminster Oaks in Tallahassee, Florida, since 2007, passed away peacefully Saturday, February 13, 2016. He spent his final days in comfort surrounded by his loving family and friends, and in the tender care of the wonderful staff of Margaret Dozier Hospice House in Tallahassee and of Westminster Oaks. Terrell was born March 26, 1920, to Susan L. Bagwell and Terrell T. Baker, Sr. in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. His early years were spent at the family home on the edge of the University of Alabama campus. Later the family moved to Evansville, Indiana where he attended Bosse High School and met his sweetheart, Thelma Parker. A proud member of the Greatest Generation, during WWII Terrell served his country manufacturing wings for P-47 Thunderbolt aircraft at the Servel Wing Section Plant (Servel, Inc.) in Evansville, IN. In 1952, the family moved to Florida where he worked alongside his father-in-law, Jessie A. Parker, constructing homes and business buildings in Orlando. Later he led the production and manufacture of aluminum and fiberglass boats for the Orlando Boat Company (Orlando Clipper) and then established his own boat manufacturing company. In 1975, Terrell began working for Comfort House, Inc. where he became General Manager providing construction equipment rentals throughout the rapidly-growing central Florida region until retiring in 1998 at the age of 78. Terrell was preceded in death by his wife, Thelma E. Baker; his sister, Ruth A. Cronin; his brother, Fred M. Baker; and a son, Carl M. Baker. He is survived by two sons, Ronald Lee Baker Esq. (Cecile) of Tallahassee, FL, Dr. Terrell Talmage “Red” Baker III (Mairead) of Lexington, KY, a daughter, Melinda “Mindy” Hardee (James L. “Dickie”) of Bena, VA, and daughter-in law, Charlene Baker of Rome, GA. The patriarch of a large and loving family, Terrell is also survived by 13 grandchildren, Scott, Brenda, Melinda (Lee), JD (Linda), Chris, John (Heather), Bill (Ann), Suzanne (Eben), MacCarthy, Maeve, Brynn, Nicole (James), and Greta; 15 great-grandchildren, Kearce, Madison, Zachary, Colin, Arden, Julia, Leigh Ann (Richard), Allison (Tyler) , Grace, Harper, Brooke, Emerson, Carly, Claire, Abigail; and a great-great-granddaughter, Hanna. Though family was always his priority, Terrell was an avid historian, gardener, fisherman and student. Passionate about all things outdoors, Terrell spent much of his free time enjoying and exploring the nature of the great outdoors throughout the country, but especially in Florida, even in his final years. Terrell’s life will be a memorialized in the chapel of Westminster Oaks in Tallahassee at 2:00 PM on February 25, 2016 for the residents there. The family will have a private celebration of his life on his birth date. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Terrell may make a contribution to Big Bend Hospice, 1723 Mahan Center Blvd., Tallahassee, Florida, 32308 or Westminster Retirement Community Foundation, 4449 Meandering Way, Tallahassee, FL 32308. Expressions of sympathy may be conveyed at www.abbeyfh.com.