Ronnie Baker

On June 5, 2024, Ronnie Baker, our loving husband, devoted father, cherished brother
and friend lost his battle to cancer at the age of 54.
We learned of the disease in 2004 but Ronnie was so determined to raise his
daughters, he died 17 days after his youngest daughter graduated from high school. He
absolutely willed his body to hold out to see his girl on stage to receive her diploma. For
the rest of the milestones he will forever be our guardian angel.
Ronnie Baker was born May 15, 1970 in Los Angeles, California to Margitta Margret
“Margie” Gertrude Schleifenbaum. His mother was a first generation immigrant to the
United States from Germany. He moved to the Houston area as a very young boy and
lived his entire life mostly in southern Montgomery County, Texas. Ronnie graduated
from Oak Ridge High School in 1989.
He married Wendy Baker on December 31, 1994 at Northwoods Presbyterian Church in
Houston, Texas. They were married for 29 joyous years. Ronnie loved his family dearly
and would sacrifice anything for his girls.
Ronnie was the first person in his family to obtain a college degree from The University
of Houston. He graduated with a B.A. in Communication in 2000. Through college he
supported himself and his family by working many years behind the bar at Taste of
Texas in Houston and the Houston Livestock Show BBQ cook off. That lead to a life
long love of restaurants, cooking, and most of all BBQ.
After graduation, Ronnie worked at a few restaurants in management but found his
place at Black Walnut Café in 2008. He loved to talk to the restaurant guests and make
sure everything was perfect. We still get letters from regular customers and employees
checking on us and telling us how much they miss talking to Ronnie. We miss him too.
Ronnie is preceded in death by his mother Margitta Margret “Margie” Gertrude
Schleifenbaum but is survived by his wife Wendy Wilson Baker, his daughter Brooke
Margret Baker and her boyfriend Zackary Martinez, and his daughter Bridget Mary
Baker. He is also survived by his siblings Micheal Schleifenbaum, his wife Joni
Schleifenbaum and niece Samantha Schleifenbaum, his sister Sheila Dodd, her
husband Paul, niece Stephanie Boudreaux and her children Alexis, Owen and Bonnie,
nephew Christian Lloyd and his wife Lizzie, their children Kyler and Stoney and his
sister Sherry Stumph and her husband Tim, nephews Greg, TJ and Tristian.

Ronnie was loved by so many people and he loved them right back. He was always
ready with a smile, a cold beer and a good time. He was a rock for his family and for his
friends he was always ready for a good joke. He could build or fix anything and he
loved sports. He played football in high school and in college. Later in life you could

always find him watching the Texans or Astros. The only thing he loved more than
sports was watching his girls dance. He was the most amazing girl dad. Whatever his
girls wanted or needed, he was going to make it happen because he was their
everything.
On June 21, 2024 at 2:00 pm at Forest Park Cemetery we will celebrate the life of
Ronnie Baker and remember him with a public service and reception. Friends and
family are invited to gather and share their memories of a man who touched so many
lives with his kindness and enthusiasm for life. Following the reception Ronnie’s
cremated remains will be laid to rest. Forest Park is located at 18000 I 45 South, The
Woodlands, Texas, 77384.
Ronnie has touched so many lives that we have been blessed a million times back from
every single person who knew him. Thank you for the kind words and generous
prayers. We feel them all. Though taken from us too soon, his legacy of love,
dedication, and joy will continue to inspire all who knew him.
We love you more Ronnie.