Karl Reginald Baker

Karl Reginald Baker was born on April 29, 1958 in Sherbrooke, Nova Scotia. He passed away peacefully on April 13, 2025 in Red Deer, AB after a courageous battle with cancer and enduring a stroke. He is survived by his loving wife, Irene Mary (nee Pearman), married for almost 44 years, his eldest daughter Jessica Lynne (Terry Anderton), eldest son, Gabriel Karl, and youngest son Bryon Malcolm (Alevtyna Parmenova) as well as two grandchildren, Ella Skye Thune and Ryler Sidney Dodds-Baker.  He is also survived by his five siblings Beverly Baker, Virginia Baker, Bonnie (Dale) MacCallum, Maurice (Lois) Baker, and Martin (Wanda) Baker, as well as numerous brother-in-laws and sister-in-laws, nieces, nephews, other family members, work colleagues, friends, and community members. He is predeceased by his parents Reginald (2020) and Geraldine (2018) Baker, his infant brother Frederick Bryanton (1947), and his sister-in-law Marlene Pearman (2021).

Karl was the fifth of six children. They were a close knit family, growing up on music, entertaining, hockey, and faith. Reg and Gerry’s home was a revolving door of kids, their friends, and family coming over for visits, food, and music, of course. This deeply impacted the way Karl and Irene lived their life, hosting friends and family, always an open door. Karl finished his education in Nova Scotia (vocational school for welding) and headed west to Alberta in 1977.  He married Irene Pearman on May 30, 1981 in Vermilion, Alberta. They moved to Nova Scotia to begin their married life, however it wasn’t very long until they ventured back west and settled in Yellowknife. There they welcomed their first child, Jessica Lynne, on October 3, 1983. After a brief time in Yellowknife, they moved onto Saskatoon and then Lloydminster where they welcomed their second child, Gabriel Karl, on November 25, 1985. From Lloydminster, the family moved to Edmonton for a while and then to Red Deer in the fall of 1986, where all the family still lives to this day. They rounded out their family and welcomed their third child, Bryon Malcolm, on March 17, 1988. It was in Red Deer that Karl joined Schlumberger and worked in the oil and gas industry for 30 years. In retirement, he worked part-time for McWilliams Auto, along with his brother-in-law Ken Pearman, transporting vehicles around Canada and the US.

Karl will be forever remembered for his kind nature, infectious smile, big laugh, and loving heart. He put his family and his faith at the centre of his life. The Baker family grew up playing a variety of sports, going to church and church conventions, as well as lots of family vacations all around North America. They drove across Canada twice, once in 1996 and then in 200, to visit family on the east coast. They enjoyed camping and being outdoors. Karl was an entertainer and he didn’t go to many places without his trusty guitar. He was our “Spotify” back in the day and we would endlessly request songs or just enjoy whatever he decided to play. He loved it and we all loved it too. He was also really well known for his skits. He has performed everything from pretending to not know how to waterski to imitating my mom doing her hair. Making people laugh was one of his greatest joys. He also loved to be in the kitchen. He is most famous for his chocolate chip cookies, which he would usually bake fresh for his guests and he told everybody, “a minimum of four cookies.” Generosity was a part of who he was.

Karl loved to be active and passed that onto his kids. The Baker family grew up skating, playing hockey, rollerblading, biking, downhill and water skiing and playing squash and ping-pong. In his later years, Karl got into motorbiking and he and Irene would go on many biking adventures with their best friends. Those memories will be so sweet to his friends.

Karl’s faith and his love for God and Jesus was a huge part of his life. At age 14 he professed to follow Jesus at Ellershouse convention. We grew up hearing the story of Jesus and dad embodied so many Christ-life qualities. His softness of heart, non-judgemental attitude, empathy, patience, and listening ear were an example and strength to so many. Karl and Irene were first asked to host Bible studies in their home in the early 90s and then in the late 90s they began hosting Sunday morning fellowship meetings until 2023. Karl was an elder in every sense of the word: dependable, steady, strong, and a friend to all. He will be dearly cherished and missed by his faith community.

In April 2023 Karl suffered a major stroke which set our family on a tumultuous two-year journey of hope and grief intertwined. In addition to his stroke, he also received a cancer diagnosis. He fought so hard, trying to recover from his stroke while simultaneously fighting the cancer. We are so grateful for the care at the Red Deer Regional Hospital, the Halvar Jonson Centre for Brain Injury, the University of Alberta Hospital, and the Michener Hill Extendicare. At each facility, dad was so beloved and the staff were an amazing support of strength and care for our family.

Karl will be dearly missed by everyone, but especially by his wife Irene, his children Jessica, Gabe, and Bryon and his two grandchildren, Ella and Ryler. It wasn’t enough time, but we are grateful for every second we did get with him. We will do all we can to

honour the man he was and deeply cherish our memories with him

Funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 19, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at the Red Deer Resort and Casino Event Centre.

Condolences to the family may be made by visiting www.eventidefuneralchapels.com

• Date : 2025-04-13
• Location : Eventide Funeral Home