Marvin "Doc" Louis Baker

WEATHERFORD -- Dr. Marvin Louis “Doc” Baker, aged 88, died peacefully on February 5, 2015 in the home shared with his spouse of 17 years, Mary Helen Stallings Baker. He and Mary have been residents of Weatherford for eight years, and were members of First Baptist Church. A memorial service will be held on the South Plains College campus, Levelland, Texas on Friday, February 20th from 2 to 3:30 p.m. A memorial visitation will be held Sunday, February 15th from 2 to 4 p.m at First Baptist Church of Weatherford, 221 W. Church St., Weatherford, 76086. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to the ‘Marvin Baker Scholarship Fund of South Plains College.' Checks of any amount may be mailed to South Plains College, Attn: Scholarship Donations, 1401 College Drive, Levelland, TX 79336. Dr. Baker was one of the most innovative and celebrated leaders for Texas Community Colleges and served as President of South Plains College in Levelland, Texas for 33 years, 1962 - 1994. As President of the Texas Association of Junior Colleges, he was known as a tireless lobbyist to obtain funding for Community Colleges statewide, an innovator for universal access to higher education and expanded curriculum, and a staunch champion of the student. South Plains College grew from an enrollment of 509 when he began his tenure, to 5,670 at his retirement. In 1994, he was awarded the permanent title of President Emeritus by the Board of Directors of the College and was recognized for Service to the State by the 72nd State House of Representatives. Dr. Baker also served in the U. S. Navy, Pacific Theater during WW II, and earned a PhD from the University of Texas at Austin in 1956. He was preceded in death by spouse, Mildred Jane Storey Baker and son, Thomas Louis Baker. Survivors: In addition to Mary, he is survived by a daughter, Barbara Baker Motley of New Orleans, LA; brother, Dr. James Thomas Baker of Bowling Green KY; and three children by marriage, Vicky Stallings Bullock of Weatherford, Tim Stallings of Gustine, and Buster Stallings of Bastrop; and a large extended family, many living in the Weatherford area. White's Funeral Home Weatherford, 817-596-4811