Edward L’Engle Baker passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday afternoon, April 28, 2022. A lifetime resident of Jacksonville, FL, he was born on February 2, 1935 to Thompson Simkins and Cynthia L’Engle Baker. Ted was a 1953 graduate of the Woodberry Forest School in Orange, VA, where he excelled in track, a sport he continued to pursue at Davidson College, from which he graduated in 1957. Following college, Ted served in the US Marine Corps (1957 – 1960), attaining the rank of 1st Lieutenant.
Upon completion of his military service, Ted returned home to Jacksonville, where he began his career in the construction materials and mining industries, working alongside his father Tom at Shands & Baker and later his brother John and son Tom at Florida Rock Industries and Patriot Transportation Holdings, serving in capacities such as President, CEO and Chairman during a career that spanned nearly a half century. He was the most significant driver behind Florida Rock’s growth, taking an enterprise his father started during the Great Depression public in 1972 and expanding its reach across the southeast tremendously during the 20th century. Ted continued to be involved and take an active role in the company up through these past few months.
On top of his rewarding work career, Ted was also dedicated to his community and his life was filled with many accomplishments. Among them, he was a past Trustee and Campaign Cabinet Chair of Davidson College, Board member and officer of the Florida Council of 100, The Florida Chamber of Commerce, The Jacksonville Port Authority, Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce, Orange Bowl Committee, Flowers Industries, HeidelbergCement Co (Germany), Regency Realty Corporation, Barnett Bank, Flint River Textiles, The River Club, Timuquana Country Club and the Police Athletic League. He also received the Florida Trucking Association’s Man of the Year Award (1984) and, most recently, was inducted into the Pit & Quarry Hall of Fame (2022). He was a member of The Valley Club (Sun Valley, ID), Timuquana Country Club and St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, as well as a past member of Pablo Creek Golf Club (Founder Member), the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club, the Roaring Gap Club (NC), The River Club and the Tournament Players Club.
Ted is predeceased by his loving wife of 54 years, Ann McDonald Baker, and his sister, Sarah Baker Porter. He is survived by his four children, Tom Baker, II (Martha), Missy Boney (Roland), Sally Lee (Larry) and Margaret Wetherbee (Putt);
Ten grandchildren: Cameron, Julia and Sam Baker, Cynnie and Mac Boney, Annie Lee O’Steen (Luke) and Ted Lee, and Frances, Berkeley and Sims Wetherbee; as well as his brother John D. Baker, II (Anne).
A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, May 4th at 11:00 A.M. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 4129 Oxford Ave., Jacksonville, FL, followed by a reception. This service may be viewed live online on the St. Mark’s Church website (stmarksjacksonville.org/virtual-worship). In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to St. Mark’s Episcopal Garden Fund.
Published in Florida Times Union
Posted online on May 02, 2022