Kenneth M. "Kenny" Baker

Memorial services for Kenneth M. “Kenny” Baker, 67, of Lufkin will be held Saturday, April 27, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church Lufkin with Rev. Mark Newton officiating.

Kenny passed away Friday, April 19, 2024 at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas. He was a beloved husband, father and grandfather, and he will be greatly missed.

Kenny was born in Crockett, Texas on December 23, 1956 to Kenneth D. and Gwen Baker. In 1959, the family moved to Lufkin where Kenny would grow up, live, work and eventually raise a family. Kenny’s childhood days were filled with tree climbing, baseball, backyard football, biking to the corner store, paper routes and inspired many stories told and retold throughout his life.

It was at Lufkin High School in May 1972 where Kenny would meet and fall in love with his high school sweetheart and future wife of 46 years, Alesa Aldredge. Kenny graduated in 1975 and Alesa in 1976. The pair attended college at Stephen F. Austin in Nacogdoches where Kenny would graduate in 1979 with a bachelor’s degree in accounting.

Kenny and Alesa married on March 18, 1978 and briefly moved to Dallas after college. They returned to Lufkin in 1980 where Kenny began a 25-year career as an accountant at the Lufkin paper mill under its many owners. After the mill closed, Kenny held several accounting and controller roles for other companies but most recently served as controller at West Fraser in Lufkin.

Throughout his life, Kenny’s family has always taken priority. Kenny and Alesa are parents to three children, Matt, Jennifer and Kelli, each of whom will testify to the selflessness and sacrifice of their dad.

Kenny was active in his kids’ lives and activities attending dance recitals, basketball and football games, picking up and dropping off over and over again and never complaining about any of it. By far though, his greatest joy came from coaching numerous baseball and softball teams for all three kids.

He was an encouraging and fair coach but kept detailed stats employing early analytics in coaching his teams. Kenny was likely the only little-league coach in history to know the slugging percentage of his 11-year-olds versus right-handed pitching on a school night.

Coaching was a passion for Kenny not measured in games won or lost but by kids who gained confidence or got the chance to try something new without fear of failure or ridicule. Kenny’s many stories from his years of coaching often revealed glimpses into the character of this quiet, strong man with a tender heart.

Kenny was also a musician and an avid consumer of all types of music. He was a former member of the Lufkin High School band and served on the board of directors for the LHS Band Alumni Association. As a trombone player for over 50 years, he was faithful in the music ministry at First Baptist Church alongside Alesa playing flute. Music was more than a hobby but a way to connect with God, his wife and his church.

Kenny loved many things in life—coffee, the New York Yankees, the Beatles, cooking—but without a doubt he loved being Pop to his eight grandchildren most of all. Kenny’s family is devastated by his loss but are assured of a Heavenly reunion where this husband, dad and Pop is waiting to wrap his big arms around us once again.

Kenny is survived by his wife, Alesa; son, Matt Baker and wife Katie; daughter, Jennifer Neuenschwander and husband David; and daughter, Kelli Lawrence and husband Travis.

He also leaves behind his mother, Gwen Baker; mother-in-law, Bartha Aldredge; and his eight grandchildren: Natalie, Elizabeth and Sylvie Baker, Reese, Jake and Emily Neuenschwander, and Hannah and Nate Lawrence.

Kenny was preceded in death by his father, Kenneth D. Baker; sister, Kristi McLain; and father-in-law, Edwin Aldredge.

The family will welcome visitors following the service on Saturday from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. in the FBC Great Hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church Lufkin, 106 E Bremond Ave, Lufkin, Texas 75901.

Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.