Raiford ‘Bud’ Colquitt Baker

Raiford “Bud” Colquitt Baker, 83, passed away on May 29, 2025, leaving a legacy of laughter, loyalty and legendary hair.

He was born to Elsie and Colquitt Baker on Feb. 4, 1942, in Savannah, Georgia. Bud spent idyllic childhood summers with his family in Savannah and was raised in Marietta, Georgia. He cultivated his Southern charm and a deep love for sunshine and storytelling.

Bud graduated from Marietta High School and the University of Georgia (Go Dawgs!). He later earned his MBA from the University of St. Thomas. He married the love of his life, Susan Young, and together they raised three children who inherited his curiosity, dry wit and love of good music.

Bud’s career took the family from Georgia to the tundra of Minnesota, where they arrived on Dec. 15 – a day when the high was 16 and the low was minus 6. Never one to back down from a challenge, Bud showed up – literally and figuratively. He laced up figure skates (not realizing there were separate ones for hockey) and volunteered to coach his kids’ teams anyway. Bud was there for T-ball, softball, football, skating and skiing. Always.

He raised his family on Cedar Forest Road in Eden Prairie, where he and Susan delighted in a community of friends and neighbors. In 1989, Bud founded REBS Marketing, a business that supported his family and offered jobs to many local kids. He was a proud member of Rotary International and, together with Susan, hosted several foreign exchange students – welcoming them into the family with the same warmth and humor he showed everyone. Bud also served nine years on the Eden Prairie Parks and Recreation Board, helping to shape the network of parks and bike trails residents enjoy today.

Eventually, Bud and Susan headed west to Gilbert, Arizona, becoming proud snowbirds and prouder golf cart happy hour participants. Together, they traveled the world with friends, played golf and visited most national parks. Bud loved a good gathering – whether a Derby party, a backyard bags tournament or dressing up as the Jolly Green Giant for Halloween. He rode his bike to get donuts, hiked countless monuments, fished and hunted with dear friends, and was happiest tinkering in the garage or grilling over charcoal (never gas). But his favorite destination was always wherever his grandsons were. Raiford, Henry, Colquitt and Cooper were his greatest joy – and he never missed a game, play, race or moment. Distance, weather or time of day didn’t matter. Bud showed up.

He also showed up with wisdom, kindness and an easygoing sense of humor. He loved naps, Willie Nelson, reading biographies, a nightcap, learning new things and dessert. He often won the family’s coveted “shark hat” for catching the most fish on vacation (his secret weapon: salted minnows).

Bud was a husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, brother-in-law, neighbor and friend – and he did all those things wholeheartedly. He was known for his dazzling blue eyes, unbeatable hair and unmistakable Baker smile.

Our blue eyes are crying in the rain.

Bud is survived by his beloved wife, Susan (née Young); his children, (Eve)Lyn (Mike) Haselmann, Brian (Leslie) Baker and Matthew (Morgan) Baker; his four grandsons, Raiford and Henry Haselmann, and Colquitt and Cooper Baker; his brothers, Billy (Shirley) and Drayton (Melissa) Baker; and many cousins, nieces, nephews and in-laws who adored him.

A celebration of life will be held Sunday, Aug. 10, at Lions Park, 1505 82nd St., Victoria, Minnesota, from 1:30 to 5 p.m., with a memorial service at 2 p.m.

Memorials may be sent to: Eden Prairie AM Rotary Foundation, P.O. Box 44603, Eden Prairie, MN 55344.