Eulogy by Ted Baker’s younger brother, John D. Baker II spoken at the beginning of Ted’s funeral service held on Wednesday, March 4, 2022.
On behalf of the family, thanks to all of you for being here. Today’s display of love and respect means the world to those of us who Ted left behind. I’m sure he is looking down with a big smile on his face and a tear in his eye.
TED BAKER WAS NO ORDINARY MAN.
As a businessman, he was that rare combination of brilliance, instinct, vision, and persuasiveness. He was a leader, not a dreamer.
As a friend, he was all those things and more. He was fun to be with, kind with a sharp edge, unpredictable, and hilariously funny.
He accomplished a lot in those 87 years. He was a state champion in the half mile in high school; could shoot five quail on the rise by the time he was 15; he became CEO of our family business Shands & Baker at the ripe old age of 28 and took it public as Florida Rock and grew it steadily and dramatically over the years. He had a national champion bird dog and is enshrined in both the Aggregates and Field Trial Halls of Fame.
He achieved this success — not just to put notches on his gun, but as the result of doing something he loved dearly. It wasn’t about the money or the adulation, but in doing something he cared deeply about and became very good at.
He didn’t suffer fools, phonies, or liars, and he wasn’t shy in expressing his disapproval when someone flew too close to the edge of one of those traits.
He was at his best with a vodka in one hand, a Marlboro in the other, telling stories that were either too humorous or, in some cases, too outrageous to be made up.
His son Tom captured him perfectly by saying “There is one thing about Dad — no one who has ever met him, ever forgot him.”
He had a strong faith and, while he didn’t wear it on his sleeve, he influenced many of us in this room as only a true friend could do.
His family was important to him. He loved Ann, Tom, Missy, Sally, Margaret, and all the grandchildren deeply – and they loved him back.
The Bakers are one of the few families that think calling someone “a rascal” is a term of endearment. If there was ever a more beloved rascal than Ted, I don’t know who it would be. I am certain that when he left this earth last Thursday, he showed up at the Pearly Gates with those twinkling blue eyes and gravelly voice and got St. Peter laughing so hard he couldn’t turn him away.
We will all miss him, but he was truly ready to go see his beloved Ann in heaven. I can see her on her own perfectly groomed cloud, tapping her feet, with her hands on her hips, welcoming him to eternity with a peppy “What took you so long?”
Yes, we will say “good-bye” but like so many before us, we will never forget him.
TED BAKER WAS INDEED NO ORDINARY MAN!
AMEN