Samuel Robert Baker

FORT WORTH -- Samuel Robert Baker, 73, died Tuesday, May 12, 2015, after his second bout with cancer. Graveside service: 11 a.m. Friday in at Mount Olivet Cemetery and presided over by his former classmate, David Riddle. Following the service family and friends will gather at 1 p.m. at Sammie's Bar-B-Q on East Belknap for a time of sharing Riverside stories. Born Dec. 28, 1941, in Fort Worth to Arvada and Delmar Baker, they shared a Riverside residence with their three boys, Lamond, Bill and Robert, until Delmar's death in 1950. Arvada lived there until her death in 2013. Everyone has fond memories of Robert's high school days and "Pop's." Some are legend. Robert's Amon Carter-Riverside High School coach, "Buster" Dixon, once described him as "The best all-around football player he had ever coached." Coach Dixon had coached a great many in his long career. Robert gave up athletics to join the Marines in 1964, and went on to serve twice in Vietnam, an experience he was not to discuss. Upon discharge he worked at Bell Helicopter and then became a very good salesman for various enterprises. He retired to the old Riverside home to take care of Arvada and the house as much help was needed there. The surviving Baker boy, Bill, and his wife, Joyce, want to thank David "Buzzy" Cypert and Don Tallman for the devotion and care they gave Robert and the family in Robert's difficult last days. Also, the Veterans Administration and especially the caregivers at Community Hospice of Texas are to be commended for their loving attention and professionalism. Survivors: Brother, Bill and wife, Joyce; sister-in-law, Betty (widow of Lamond); stepbrother, Thurman and wife, Jeanne; stepsisters, Diane and Donna; special cousins, Pat Cox and Lynda Plant; and multiple generations of nephews and nieces. Williams & Lucas Funeral Home 517 N. Sylvania, 817-838-2336 To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Samuel Robert Baker please visit our Sympathy Store.