He was a Southern Baptist Pastor and Evangelist. 

 

He began his preaching ministry while a student at Baylor University and became an integral part of the Youth Revival Movement which began there in the early 1940s. 

 

He married fellow Baylor student Celestine ‘Tina’ Pinson in 1944.

 

After completing a Master of Arts degree at Baylor University, he enrolled in Southwester Baptist Theological Seminary, graduating in 1949 with a B.D. degree. 

 

After pastoring Baptist churches in Gholson and Walnut Springs, as a student, Mr. Baker pastured the Birchman Avenue Baptist Church in Fort Worth, for 10  years.

 

In 1957, he began 16 years in evangelism with his musician brother Dick.

 

Mr. Baker and Dick traveled around the world preaching and singing the gospel while writing dozens of songs together.

 

He became pastor of Plymouth Baptist Church in Irving in 1973 and continued there for 15 years until his retirement in 1988.

 

After his wife Tina died in 1983, Mr. Baker married Ruth Hutcherson Fort.

 

Dr. Baker was a noted churchman, international evangelist, author, lyricist, denominational statesman, distinguished alumni (Southern Baptist Theological Seminary), recipient of Baylor University’s James Huckins-Baylor Founder’s Day Award and its prestigious W.R. White Meritorious Service Award. 

 

In recognition of his world-wide ministry, the Doctor of Divinity degree was conferred upon him by Dallas Baptist University and also by Baylor University.

 

He was Pastor Emeritus at the Plymouth Park Baptist Church in Irving.

 

Dr. Baker continued to preach until the last year of his life. His last sermon was preached in a service with his brother Dick at Farmersville First Baptist Church, where they grew up.

 

Dr. Baker is the author of several books including Keeping Christmas and Believers at the Breaking Point. 

He died Feb. 18.

 

Dr. Baker is survived by his wife, Ruth Hutcherson Fort Baker; brother, Dick Baker of Plano; son, Daniel Baker of Ouray, Colo.; daughter, Lisa Baker and her husband, Troy Abell of Waco; step-daughter Kristen Moore and husband, Gary of Houston; stepson, Steve Fort and wife, Jamie of Frisco; grandchildren, Jonathan Baker, Stephen Baker, Jack Abell, Megan Gardner, Michael Abell, Ashlea Moore Taylor, Joshua David Moore, Zachary Fort, Conner Fort, Jessica Fort and Lynnson Fort; great-grandchildren, Anna Abell, Harrison Abell, Solomon Gardner, Olivia Gardner, Oliver Gardner and Baxter Moore.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts may be made to the Bo Baker, Jr. Endowed Scholarship Fund at Baylor University, www.baylor.edu/give.

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