Wade Baker went home to be with his sweet Kathy and wait upon the Lord, on Monday,
March 30, 2026, at 4:27pm with much of his family by his side.
Wade was born in Kannapolis, NC on September 26, 1941.

The first-born grandchild and nephew born to his mother (a sister of five girls). A
“military brat” as a child, he traveled and lived in various states before his family settled
in Orlando in the mid to late 50’s.

Wade attended Edgewater High School where he met his sweetheart and lifelong love
Kathy Jo Nelson. Wade married Kathy, December 16, 1961. They remain forever in
Holy Matrimony. Together they raised their family being active at the ball field where
almost every child and parent knew “Mr. Baker”; cooking burgers at pool parties and
occasional drive-in movies with homemade bags of popped corn. He enjoyed muscle
cars, going to the races and horses.

At age 62 Wade retired after working 32 years at what he called “The Mouse
House…Disney World”!

Wade and Kathy were members of Church at the Cross. And they enjoyed serving in
the church! Monthly luncheons with the Legacy Adults and bus road trips were always a
fun way to make memories along with their church family. He and Kathy attended
concerts of Gospel artists including The Gaither’s and CC Wynans and Neil Diamond
annually. Wade was a Freemason for many years, however believed in salvation
through Jesus Christ.

Wade and Kathy were blessed to travel and see and experience wonderful places of
God’s creations in this world. Wade and Kathy loved their family, and the blessings of
grand and great grandchildren God gave to them.

Wade R Baker is survived by: children Dennis M Baker, Babette A Baker-Alfaro and her
husband Otto R Alfaro, Rickie A. Baker and his wife Lilli, Grandchildren; Damien L Dunn, Dustin R Dunn, Deven L Dunn, Sr, and his significant other Whitney Shelton, Kristian and her husband Nelson Rincon, Joshua Baker and his wife Brooke, Jordan Baker and Troy Scuderi, Great Grandchildren, Kaleighya, Natalia, Cameron, Jaxon, Mason, Nicholas, Deven L, Jr, Isaiah, Isaac, Lucas, Elliot, Carter and his sibling on the way!

Wade is preceded in death by his brother Larry Baker, his parents; stepfather Hercules
Baker, biological father David Daniel Lapish, mother Mary Fay Fowler Baker, and his
sweet eternal wife Kathy Jo Baker.

A kind, humorous, gentle, loving and caring man we all came to know and love named
Wade, Buster, Dad, Friend and Papa, will truly be missed. We love you!