David Mark Baker of Columbia, Tennessee

February 5, 1967 - September 11, 2024

David Mark Baker, age 57, husband of Laura Middleton Baker, and a resident of Columbia, Tennessee, passed away on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, at Maury Regional Medical Center.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, at 3:00 PM at Heritage Funeral Home. Following the service, he will be laid to rest in Goshen Cemetery with military honors provided by the United States Army. The family will visit with friends on Tuesday from 1:00 PM until the service hour at the funeral home.  Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Born on February 5, 1967, in Columbia, Tennessee, and raised in Santa Fe, TN, David was the son of R. Cecil and J. Marilyn Baker. When he was twelve, his dad’s job moved his family to Ft. Madison, Iowa. After graduating from High School, he joined the United States Army and became a Paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division. He was stationed at Ft. Jackson, South Carolina, Ft. Gordon, Georgia, Ft. Benning, Georgia, Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, and Korea.

After the Army in 1988, David surrendered to the call to ministry and went to Bible College. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Pastoral Theology and a Master’s Degree in Education from Hyles-Anderson College in Crown Point, Indiana, and in 2024 he received a Doctorate in Theology and a Doctorate of Divinity.

He married Laura Middleton on June 9, 1990; together they had eleven children.  In 2013, he went through the Energized Health Transformation by John Jubilee to transform his health and became a chaplain and health coach for their company.  In September of 2013, He and a small group of people launched the beginning of the Family Baptist Church in Columbia, TN.

In 2014, He discovered Kingdom Builder’s Academy, an on-line marketing company that specializes in the writing and publishing of books and teaches how to “monetize your message.” He became a number one, best-selling author on Amazon and has written five books.

In June of 2015, He took what he had learned from the marketing company, and together with Dr. Bob Gray, they started Independent Baptist On-line College to help train people for the work of the ministry.

After writing the book “I’m Never Coming Back Here” in order to help the incarcerated, he became the senior chaplain at the Maury County Jail in 2016. (His son became the assistant chaplain in 2017, and later assumed the role of senior chaplain.)

David was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, pastor, best-selling author, speaker, chaplain, marketing coach, entrepreneur, and host of several podcasts.

In addition to his wife and parents, he is survived by his children, David Curtis (Victoria) Baker of Columbia, Sarah (Tim) Peterson of California, Alyssa (Cody) Robinson of Hampshire, Jonathan (Keliah) Baker of Columbia, Mark (Lauren) Baker of Franklin, Darick Baker of Columbia, Grant Baker of Columbia, Laurissa Baker of Columbia, Cameron Baker of Columbia, Janessa Baker of Columbia, and Carson Baker of Columbia, sister, Donna (Jim) Shattuck of Des Moines, Iowa, brothers, Daniel (Maria) Baker of Iowa, Darrell Baker of Columbia, grandchildren, David Clayton Baker, Jessalynn Peterson, Emmalynn Peterson, Brennon Peterson, Brody Peterson, Easton Peterson, Hudson Peterson, Jaxson Peterson, Raelyn Baker, Brantley Baker, Logan Baker, and three more grandchildren on the way.

He was preceded in death by his baby sister, Debbie Baker, grandparents, Hubert & Maggie Sue Baker, and mother and father-in-law, Victor & June Middleton.

Pallbearers will be his sons, David Curtis Baker, Jonathan Baker, Mark Baker, Darick Baker, Grant Baker, Cameron Baker, and Carson Baker.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Goshen Cemetery, c/o Winfred Baker, 4638 Bass Alderson Road, Williamsport, TN, 38487.