After a valiant sixteen year battle with cancer, Brodie Burl Baker, Jr. passed away on September 24, 2017 at the age of 78. Brodie was born on February 20, 1939 in Wendell, NC to the late Brodie Burl Baker, Sr. and Jessie Liles Baker. He played football, basketball, and baseball at Wendell High School. At Guilford College, he played football and baseball from 1957 to 1961. As a baseball highlight, on August 21, 1959 he pitched both halves of a doubleheader against Western Carolina College winning both games, consequently being named the “Iron Man” by the Greensboro News & Record. He was inducted into the Guilford College Hall of Fame in 1995. After graduating from college, Brodie began working for Security Life and Trust Company in Winston Salem where he remained for seven years. This was followed by eighteen years at Hanes Hosiery before opening his own business, Industrial Handling Systems, which he owned from 1988 to 2001. He was also a member and trustee of Winston Salem Friends Meeting.

Joining Bermuda Run Country Club, as a founding member in 1971, allowed him to pursue his love of golf. His game improved to a degree that allowed him to successfully compete on local, national and international levels. For many years Brodie played at the Wendell Country Club in the Mossey Faison Golf Tournament competing against his sons and relatives. It was serious business for all involved, but a lot of fun. As a senior competitor, he qualified three times for the USGA Senior Amateur, each time advancing to match play and automatically qualifying for the British Senior Amateur in which he competed twice. In 2007 he won the US Senior Left-handed Championship, and the following year the World Senior Left-handed Championship in New Zealand. Nationally, he won the 54th North-South Senior Championship in 2005 and the US Overall Left-handed Championships in 2008 and 2009. He also won the Bermuda Run Senior Championship several times and numerous CPGA and Carolinas Golf Association Senior and Super Senior Tournaments.

Greater than his love of golf was his love of family. When he was not seen practicing at the range or teeing it up on the course, he was likely attending a family event or watching one of his grandsons play ball. He fondly offered up advice to his grandsons in a phrase he often recited – “Be Specific and Explicit,” evolving into a fun-loving Baker family motto. His family was a loving source of comfort and support, encouraging him to look forward to the next golf challenge. Brodie enjoyed the simple things in life, always appreciating the many friendships, and experiences that life offered him.

Brodie is survived by his wife of 56 years, Caroline Primm Baker of Bermuda Run; his sons, Kevin M. Baker and wife Melissa of Advance and Dr. Brian K. Baker and wife Marci of Advance; three grandchildren, Heather, Brandon and Joshua; and one great-grandson, Conor; sisters, Merrilyn B. Allen and Joy B. Davis both of Wendell; brother, Ollie Baker of Wendell; and a host of very special nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers-in-law, Warren Allen and Leary Davis; and sister-in-law, Doris M. Baker.

A service to celebrate Brodie’s life will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, October 21, 2017 at Winston Salem Friends Meeting, 3151 Reynolda Road, Winston Salem, NC 27106. The family will receive relatives and friends in the fellowship hall following the memorial service.

At Brodie’s request, his body was donated to Anatomical Resource Clinical Training Center at Wake Forest School of Medicine.

The family request flowers be omitted and contributions be made to Winston Salem Friends Meeting, or to Leary and Joy Davis Leadership Scholarship at Campbell University School of Law, c/o of David Bohm, 225 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC 27603 or to a charity of your choice.

The Baker family would like to thank Dr. Ronald L. Davis for his friendship and expertise in Urological Oncology. They would also like to thank the ICU Care Team at the Comprehensive Cancer Center for their professionalism and loving concern during his time in their care. 

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