wfn.org | [PCUSANEWS] Wes Baker, former COEMAR head, dead at 80

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Note #8070 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:

Wes Baker, former COEMAR head, dead at 80
04020
January 13, 2004

Wes Baker, former COEMAR head, dead at 80

by Jerry L. Van Marter

LOUISVILLE - The Rev. Wesley C. Baker, a passionate interpreter of the
worldwide mission of the Presbyterian Church (USA) who's career spanned six
decades, died Jan. 4 of renal failure at his home in Severna Park, MD. He was
80.

	A native of Seattle, Baker grew up in California and Arizona. He
graduated from Arizona State University in 1943 and from San Francisco
Theological Seminary in 1946.

	Early in his career, Baker worked as a resettlement director for
Hungarian refugees in Los Angeles. After pasturing churches on the West coast
for several years, he was tapped for the Commission on Ecumenical Mission and
Relations of the former United Presbyterian Church in the United States of
America, based in New York.

	Fluent in five languages, Baker spent the most of the rest of his
career traveling the world on behalf of the Presbyterian Church, making
connections between U.S. Presbyterians and partners all around the globe and
interpreting the church's global mission to U.S. Presbyterians.

	Baker authored several books, including Hope In This World, Believer
in Hell, The Open End of Christian Morals and More Than a Man Can Take: A
Study of Job. He also wrote countless study guides and resource papers on
various aspects of the church's mission enterprise.

	In retirement, Baker served several interim pastorates and at his
death was preaching at Lakeland Presbyterian Church in Baltimore.

	He is survived by his wife, Corrine; two sons, Ernest and Timothy; a
daughter, Rebecca Staut; two stepsons, David and Daniel Dyross; a
stepdaughter, Deborah Koski; a sister, Allison Davies; and 17 grandchildren.

	A memorial service for Wes Baker has been scheduled for Jan. 14 at
Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church in Severna Park.

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