Marvin Baker

Marvin Baker passed away peacefully on Friday, October 9, 2026, at Advent Health Hospital. He was born on September 11, 1951, in Busy, Kentucky, to the late Beecher Baker and Mildred Campbell Baker. The youngest of nine children, Marvin grew up alongside his four brothers, Mark, Jerry, Don and Lowell  and four sisters: Evelyn, Barbara, Phyllis and Doshia.

Marvin devoted 42 years of his life to the coal industry, working primarily as a heavy equipment operator. Throughout his career, he worked for Shamrock Coal Company, Calvary Coal Company, and B&W Resources, before retiring in 2015.

Above all, Marvin’s greatest life-changing moment came on the morning of December 29, 2013, when he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior. From that day forward, Marvin was a faithful member of Rockhouse Pentecostal Church. His love for the Lord was evident in the way he lived his life and in his faithfulness to the house of God. Even just four days before his passing, Marvin could be found in the house of the Lord, standing and praising his Savior. What a beautiful testament to a faith that remained with him until the very end.

Marvin leaves behind his beloved wife of 54 years, Shirley Napier Baker, with whom he shared a lifetime of love and memories. He is also survived by his two sons, Marvin Anthony Baker and wife Cynthia of Berea, Kentucky, and Trinity Brandon Baker and wife Shelly of London, Kentucky. His five cherished grandchildren, Alexis Mullins and husband Josh, Braedon Baker, Rachel Baker, Kate Elizabeth Baker, and Trindon Cole Baker, brought him great joy, as did his precious great-granddaughter, Eleanor Jean Mullins.

Marvin was an avid outdoorsman whose love for the hills and the water was hard to miss. He found great joy in hunting, fishing, and spending time outdoors with family and friends. One of his greatest pleasures was taking children hunting. In fact, he was often more excited about the trip than the child he was taking. Those who knew Marvin knew that the memories made along the way meant just as much to him as the hunt itself.

Just before his retirement, Marvin purchased a pontoon for the family to enjoy. Through that simple act of generosity, he gave his family and friends countless opportunities to make memories that will last a lifetime. For Marvin, it was never just about having something for himself. It was about sharing it with the people he loved.

Some of Marvin’s deepest relationships were built around the things he loved most. He was a devoted sports fan, cheering on UK, the Leslie County Eagles, and any team his grandchildren happened to be playing on. He also enjoyed reminiscing about his own softball glory days, and he never seemed to run short on stories to tell. Marvin was a natural storyteller, and making people laugh came easily to him. He had a way of bringing people together, turning an ordinary conversation into a memory people would carry with them long after the laughter faded.

Marvin was a giver by nature. He loved blessing others with a mess of fresh turkey or fish, dropping off a bag of garden goods, or giving a child something as simple as a turkey beard to treasure. And if you were lucky enough to receive a Ziploc bag of his homemade deer jerky, you knew you were getting some of the best deer jerky you had ever tasted. These may have seemed like little things to Marvin, but to those on the receiving end, they were reminders of his generous heart. He gave what he had, shared what he loved, and found joy in making others happy.

Though he will be deeply missed, the love Marvin gave so freely will continue to live on in the hearts of his family, friends, and all those who had the privilege of knowing him. And for those who shared his faith, there is comfort in knowing that the Savior he stood and praised just days before his passing is the same Savior he now rests with.

Funeral: Wednesday, October 14, 2026 at 1:00 P.M. at the Rockhouse Pentecostal Church, Hyden, Kentucky

Ministers: Rev. Ronnie Wells, Rev. Andrew Farmer, Bro. Sawyer Farmer and Rev. Ted Couch

Interment: Laurel Fork Cemetery, (Laurel Fork Lane) Hyden, Kentucky

Pallbearers: Braedon Baker, Mike Napier, Dean Napier, Pat Napier, Jason Napier, Josh Mullins, Durand Napier, Brian Taylor Napier, Greg Baker, Dwight Baker, Terry Baker and Matthew Napier

Honorary Pallbearers: Rick Boggs, Eugene Leddington, Lonnie Napier, Greg Napier, Denver Dean Sizemore and James Jones

Visitation: Tuesday, October 13, 2026 at 6:00 P.M. at the Rockhouse Pentecostal Church

*In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Marvin's memory to the Rockhouse Pentecostal Church, Youth Group, P.O. Box 1872 Hyden, Kentucky 41749*