Philip Arthur Baker, 84, of Venice, Fla., died Nov. 10, 2020. He was the husband of Linda “Linnie” Baker (née Trexler Crosley). He and Linnie were married in 1981 in Dunwoody, Ga. and retired to Venice in 1994 for a “new beginning” to simplify their lives, due to both becoming ill with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/CFIDS.

Born in Topeka, Kan., he attended Topeka High School, Class of 1954, where he played many sports. He graduated with an engineering degree from the University of Kansas. He was a member of Delta Upsilon fraternity and loved following Jayhawk sports. He played baseball and played in multiple tennis leagues.

He was an active member of Kingswood Methodist Church, Dunwoody, Ga.

He was a pro at finding sharks’ teeth on Venice Beach and enjoyed watching sports, reading and completing sudoku puzzles. He was a patient, kind and loving man who lived a very honorable life and always thought of others before himself. He greeted each day with a smile and gratitude.

He served his country as a Marine and had a long, successful career at IBM Corp. as a senior systems engineer and senior instructor in Kansas City, Mo., Springfield, Ill. and Atlanta, Ga.

He is survived by his wife; daughters, Melissa Baker Nimke, of Milwaukee, Wis., Kristin Larpenter, Kristin Crosley and Kim Crosley Lass, of Denver; a sister, Barbara and her husband, Larry Hansen, of Gillsville, Ga; grandsons, William Philip Nimke, Alexander Ryan Larpenter, Christopher Baker Larpenter and Theodore Ellis Larpenter; special family members, Gregory Hannah and Jay James; nieces and nephews, extended family members and many friends. He was predeceased by his first wife, Janet Limbach Baker.

Contributions may be made in his memory to www.SolveCFS.org. Please perform a “Random Act of Kindness” in his memory.

A family celebration of his life will be held at a later time.