William Thomas "Tom" Baker

January 24, 1932 - October 25, 2014

Mr. William Thomas "Tom" Baker, age 82 and resident of Columbia, passed away Saturday, October 25, 2014, at Life Care Center of Columbia. Funeral services will be held Monday, October 27, 2014, at 2:00 PM at Heritage Funeral home with Keith Baker officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery in Columbia, TN with Pastor Rick Points officiating. The family will visit with friends on Sunday, October 26, 2014 from 4:00 until 8:30 PM and then, again, Monday one hour prior to the service from 1:00 until 2:00 PM. Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements. Born on January 24, 1932 in Williamsport, Tennessee to William Moton "Bill" Baker and Lucille King Baker, Tom was self employed owner and operator of Baker Plumbing as well as the owner of Parkway Café. He served our country in the United States Army from 1953 to 1955 during the Korean Conflict. He was also retired from the City of Columbia as a foreman over the street department. Tom was of the Christian faith and enjoyed NFL football, Denver Broncos, and Nascar. His favorite football player was Peyton Manning and his favorite Nascar driver was Kyle Busch. He was a great story teller and a strong family man. He was especially close to his friends at Marty's Café and Super Rama Grocery. He is survived by his daughter: Cathy (Bobby) White; daughter-in-law: Debra Kelley Baker, both of Columbia; two brothers: Bobby (Martha) Baker of Pulaski and Sambo (Marlene) Baker of Columbia. Sisters: Shirley (Randall) Wright of Columbia and Helen (Thomas) Malugin of Primm Springs; one sister-in-law: Ann Baker of Leoma and one brother-in-law: Elmer Rummage of Columbia; three grandchildren: Angelia Dawn Baker, Kevin Thomas Baker and William Daniel Baker; two great-grandchildren: Destiny Blair DeWeese, and David Dylan Thomas DeWeese, one great great granddaughter; Paislee MaKenna Meade. In addition to his parents, Tom was preceded in death by his wife, Betty "Blocker" Baker; daughter: Pamela Gaye Baker; son: Danny Thomas Baker; Sister: Charlotte Baker Rummage; and two brothers: Robert Leonard Baker and Little Joe King Baker. He was also preceeded in death by his in-laws, Eunice and Gracie Anderson Blocker. Pallbearers will be Rusty Baker, Jason Malugin, Jeff Baker, Chris Baker, Daniel Baker, Kevin Baker, Dylan DeWeese, and Rick Points. Honorary pallbearers will be nieces and nephews.