Felix "Lefty" Baker

Felix "Lefty" Baker was born on November 29, 1932 to George Hall Baker and Idabelle Anderson. He was the third child and the third Felix in the Baker line. His family lived in the northside of Houston in an area called the Bloody Fifth Ward. At the age of six he accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior at Liberty Road Baptist. At age thirteen, Felix moved to West University and eventually went to high school at Sam Houston, where he was the captain of the football team (the B team). Felix rededicated his life to Jesus at nineteen years old at a summer revival camp. Afterwards, he was involved in evangelistic activities at South Main Baptist Church, holding services and giving his testimony. It was at this time that he met Judy Cox, who soon became his bride.

"Lefty", a nickname given to him by a neighbor, began his boxing career when he was fourteen. He and two buddies went to a downtown auditorium and entered a boxing tournament. He was indeed a southpaw. His first four fights resulted in a draw but after that, he won over a hundred matches and lost less than twenty fights. Lefty was the proud winner of five city championships and in 1950 he won the state title.

Felix loved seeing his name in the newspaper. On one occasion, while working at Joske's layaway department, his picture was taken for a hair advertisement. He was photographed with a beautiful girl feeling his muscle. This was right before a Golden Gloves tournament. The next day he found his photo and story on the front page of the Houston Post. Later in his life, Lefty found his name in print again. Best selling author, James Lee Burke, had seen Lefty fight back in the day. James used Lefty's name in two of his books: Jesus Out to Sea and The Jealous Kind. In Jesus Out to Sea the quote is "Know who Lefty Baker is?" she asked. "The best boxer in Houston," I said. "He didn't learn to fight at First Baptist," she said. This was such a boost for Lefty to see his name in print again. For years he'd been telling his friends and family what a legend he was and then they started to believe him.

During college Felix was in ROTC and upon graduating from the University of Houston, he was given a commission by the army to serve at a Nike Guided Missile site near Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. Here, he and his wife had their first daughter, Bonnie. Fifteen months later, Alison was born in Houston, Texas and Pegi Sue arrived five years later in Concord, California.

Felix had a very successful career as a salesman and sales manager, selling steel and pipe for the L.B. Foster Company After retiring, he worked as a teacher's aide, teaching math at a high-risk high school.

During his entire life, Felix served his church and tithed religiously. He also gave to many charities! He loved playing tennis and golf, building sand castles with his grandchildren and playing cards. During the pandemic he became an avid puzzler. He loved BlueBell ice cream (chocolate on the top and vanilla on the bottom),the Astros, his country, his family and friends, the Bible, especially the book of Galatians which emphasizes the grace of God, and most of all, his Lord Jesus.

He is survived by his children, Bonnie and Todd DeLaughter, Alison and Daniel Horstman, and Pegi Sue and Joe Spencer and his grandchildren, Nancy Cook, Ben Horstman, Nicole Karou, Elisabeth Gregory, Garrett Spencer, Atlee Spencer, Max Horstman and Graham Spencer. Felix had four beautiful great grandchildren: Lila Cook, Cooper Karou, Charlie Cook and Finn Karou.

Felix passed on to his home in glory on April 4, 2023 at the age of 90. He was surrounded by his many loved ones.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.settegastkopf.com for the Baker family.