Kurt Michael Baker of Ruskin, Florida, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, May 16, 2025, surrounded by loving family and life-long friends, after a full, wonderful life. He was 70 years old.
He is survived and will be forever missed by his wife of 43 years, Karen Baker; his children: Kristen Witt (Jon), Kaitlin Cross (Jordan), and Kurt Baker (Samantha); and four grandsons: Samuel, Jack, Benjamin, and Finn. He and his steady supply of treats will also be greatly missed by grand-pups, Hems, Izzy, and Sunny.
Kurt was born and raised in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, and moved to Seffner, Florida in 1989. He will be remembered for his kind heart, goofy sense of humor, and generous spirit. He was quick to make people around him laugh. And even quicker to lend a helping hand for tasks big and small. He worked so hard to provide the best life for his family. We were so lucky.
Kurt was special to so many people, but perhaps most so to his four grandsons. He delighted in being a Pop Pop. And he was a great one. Crossing the country in September 2016 to meet his first two grandbabies, born days apart, including little Jack arriving on Pop Pop’s birthday! He snuggled them as babies, played with them as they grew, and cheered them on at their sports games. The boys loved visiting Mimi and Pop Pop’s house, to swim in the pool, ride the tractor, and enjoy lots of treats.
The family will hold a small Celebration of Life honoring Kurt in the future. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Moffitt Cancer Center, which provided excellent care to Kurt, https://fundraise.moffitt.org/KurtBaker, or a charity of your choice.
