Obituary for Phillip Lynn Baker
October 28, 1952 – July 20, 2023
Phillip Lynn Baker, 70, beloved father, Papa, and pitmaster was gracefully reunited with his loving wife Sheilah into the kingdom of heaven on Thursday, July 20, 2023.
Phil was born in 1952 to the late Vic and Virgie Baker in Gonzales, Texas and was the second born of four children. Growing up in a small, rural community, Phil and his siblings and neighboring cousins always found ways to play outside whether it be buying sweets at the local candy shop, riding their bikes across town, or making Soda bombs with Coca-Cola bottles Virgie had stored in the back of her beauty shop, waiting for customer use.
In 1971, Phil graduated from Gonzales High School and enrolled in the National Guard. Over his seven-year tenure, it was there that Phil got to visit other states and bigger towns and developed a love of cooking, something that would end up paying off later in life.
Phil met Sheilah Kay Bairrington of Luling, Texas and they were married on March 21, 1980. Irvin Wayne joined the world as their only son in October of 1981 and they settled in nearby Luling. Never meeting a stranger, and always willing to help their neighbors, Phil and Sheilah became heavily involved in their community, often times cooking for benefits, fundraisers and other non-profit events. Phil could always be found bidding on an auction of any kind, whether it was a silent or live auction, as he knew “winning” would benefit a worthy cause. Phil proudly served as the lead cook for the Tom Webb Benefit for the 10 years of its existence. He and Wayne would also participate in multiple cookoffs a year, having placed in many competitions across south Texas.
Phil was also an active committeeman for the Caldwell County Go Texan Committee, having helped the committee get established and later transferred to the Gonzales County Go Texan Committee after moving back to Gonzales. When he wasn’t cooking, Phil and Sheilah were actively involved in a Tuesday and Thursday night bowling league at Oil City Lanes. They enjoyed summer vacations at Port Royal with friends they considered family and hitting up the casinos at Coushatta. In fact, a week before his passing, Phil returned home from Coushatta having “Kicked that casino’s ---”, according to him.
Phil will be remembered for his strong work ethic he took from the National Guard to the oilfield in Caldwell County. He worked every day for 32 years until Sheilah became ill with leukemia in 2012 where he permanently left the industry for good. His knowledge of flow lines in the area were not forgotten as the Railroad Commissioners would often call on Phil to confirm where certain lines were. Phil cared for Sheilah throughout the entire duration of her illness until she passed away in March 2013.
After the devastating loss of his wife, Phil and son Wayne, decided Gonzales, Texas was the perfect place to open a barbeque joint. It had always been Phil and Sheilah’s retirement dream to open a barbeque catering company, where “Phil would smoke the meat and Sheilah would make the sides”. Through a lot of patience and perseverance, the father-son team opened Baker Boys BBQ on August 19, 2015. Backed by tremendous community support and loyal followers, Baker Boys BBQ quickly found its way on the Texas Monthly Top 50 List along with their meats made fresh on a daily basis, homemade sausage and sides along with Phil’s unique “Stuffed Chicken Leg” earning the joint a spot on the coveted list. For those novice barbeque eaters, a stuffed chicken leg is a chicken drumstick with the center bone removed, seasoned and stuffed with a slice of onion and jalapeño and grilled to perfection. Phil could debone 100 legs in an hour. Baker Boys BBQ would receive the same honor on the next list published in 2021. Through Baker Boys BBQ, Phil’s relationship and friendship with Wayne grew stronger and deeper, and Wayne would tell everyone “working with his Dad everyday was one of his life’s greatest blessings”, and Phil felt the same. They frequented the Shiner Spoetzl Brewery every Friday afternoon after a long week’s work.
Phil was promoted to “Papa” in 2016 when his first grandson, Ellis was born, and again in 2019 when Rhett arrived. The trio quickly became inseparable and left a lasting impact on all their lives. Together they made sausage at the restaurant, made friends with the local donut shop, and were always on the hunt for alligators and dinosaurs. Papa always found dinosaurs and hardly any alligators.
When Phil wasn’t working or with his grandsons, he could often be found playing cards or dominoes at Dry Lake, Texas (otherwise known as Lakewood to others) telling and retelling stories of the good ‘ol days and of he and his friends’ past. In fact, Phil will be remembered as an amazing domino player, and even competed at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo where he placed in a runner up position. “Ten Top Walkabout.”
Phil is survived by his loving son, Irvin Wayne Baker and wife Erin of Gonzales; Grandsons, Ellis and Rhett Baker; In-laws, Ira “Bair” and Kate Bairrington of Luling; Sister, Penny Lee and husband Robert of Gonzales; Brother Ronnie Baker and wife Susan of Meridian; Nephews Ryan Lee, Lance Baker (Meghan), and Micah Baker (Kayla); and niece April Bairrington.
Phil is preceded in death by his wife, Sheilah Kay Baker; his parents, Vic and Virgie Baker; his brother, Irvin Ray Baker; nephew Randall “Sport” Wayne Bairrington; and niece Kelsy Shea Baker.
Funeral Services for Phil Baker will be held on Tuesday, July 25 at 10 a.m., at the First Methodist Church of Gonzales, 426 St Paul St, Gonzales, Texas, with Pastor Matt Pennington officiating. Interment immediately following at the Luling City Cemetery. Pallbearers include Ryan Lee, Seth Powell, Lance Baker, Micah Baker, Tracy Windwehen, Roy Staton, Ricky Kotwig and Poochy Kridler. Honorary pallbearers include Brett Hill, Blaine Hill, Carl West, David May, Bubba Clary, Robert Lee, Kevin Bradley, Irvin Windwehen, Richard Robbins, and the Dry Lake Texas Domino Club. A reception will be held at Baker Boys BBQ following burial with special musical guests Bill Pekar and the Rainey Brothers. The family invites you out to share memories and stories over an ice-cold Shiner, and good music in Phil’s memory. The family will receive friends at Seydler-Hill Funeral home on Monday, July 24 from 5-7pm. Services are under the care and direction of Seydler-Hill Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Gonzales County Go Texan Committee at P.O. Box 81, Gonzales, TX 78629.
Phillip Lynn Baker, 70, beloved father, Papa, and pitmaster was gracefully reunited with his loving wife Sheilah into the kingdom of heaven on Thursday, July 20, 2023.
Phil was born in 1952 to the late Vic and Virgie Baker in Gonzales, Texas and was the second born of four children. Growing up in a small, rural community, Phil and his siblings and neighboring cousins always found ways to play outside whether it be buying sweets at the local candy shop, riding their bikes across town, or making Soda bombs with Coca-Cola bottles Virgie had stored in the back of her beauty shop, waiting for customer use.
In 1971, Phil graduated from Gonzales High School and enrolled in the National Guard. Over his seven-year tenure, it was there that Phil got to visit other states and bigger towns and developed a love of cooking, something that would end up paying off later in life.
Phil met Sheilah Kay Bairrington of Luling, Texas and they were married on March 21, 1980. Irvin Wayne joined the world as their only son in October of 1981 and they settled in nearby Luling. Never meeting a stranger, and always willing to help their neighbors, Phil and Sheilah became heavily involved in their community, often times cooking for benefits, fundraisers and other non-profit events. Phil could always be found bidding on an auction of any kind, whether it was a silent or live auction, as he knew “winning” would benefit a worthy cause. Phil proudly served as the lead cook for the Tom Webb Benefit for the 10 years of its existence. He and Wayne would also participate in multiple cookoffs a year, having placed in many competitions across south Texas.
Phil was also an active committeeman for the Caldwell County Go Texan Committee, having helped the committee get established and later transferred to the Gonzales County Go Texan Committee after moving back to Gonzales. When he wasn’t cooking, Phil and Sheilah were actively involved in a Tuesday and Thursday night bowling league at Oil City Lanes. They enjoyed summer vacations at Port Royal with friends they considered family and hitting up the casinos at Coushatta. In fact, a week before his passing, Phil returned home from Coushatta having “Kicked that casino’s ---”, according to him.
Phil will be remembered for his strong work ethic he took from the National Guard to the oilfield in Caldwell County. He worked every day for 32 years until Sheilah became ill with leukemia in 2012 where he permanently left the industry for good. His knowledge of flow lines in the area were not forgotten as the Railroad Commissioners would often call on Phil to confirm where certain lines were. Phil cared for Sheilah throughout the entire duration of her illness until she passed away in March 2013.
After the devastating loss of his wife, Phil and son Wayne, decided Gonzales, Texas was the perfect place to open a barbeque joint. It had always been Phil and Sheilah’s retirement dream to open a barbeque catering company, where “Phil would smoke the meat and Sheilah would make the sides”. Through a lot of patience and perseverance, the father-son team opened Baker Boys BBQ on August 19, 2015. Backed by tremendous community support and loyal followers, Baker Boys BBQ quickly found its way on the Texas Monthly Top 50 List along with their meats made fresh on a daily basis, homemade sausage and sides along with Phil’s unique “Stuffed Chicken Leg” earning the joint a spot on the coveted list. For those novice barbeque eaters, a stuffed chicken leg is a chicken drumstick with the center bone removed, seasoned and stuffed with a slice of onion and jalapeño and grilled to perfection. Phil could debone 100 legs in an hour. Baker Boys BBQ would receive the same honor on the next list published in 2021. Through Baker Boys BBQ, Phil’s relationship and friendship with Wayne grew stronger and deeper, and Wayne would tell everyone “working with his Dad everyday was one of his life’s greatest blessings”, and Phil felt the same. They frequented the Shiner Spoetzl Brewery every Friday afternoon after a long week’s work.
Phil was promoted to “Papa” in 2016 when his first grandson, Ellis was born, and again in 2019 when Rhett arrived. The trio quickly became inseparable and left a lasting impact on all their lives. Together they made sausage at the restaurant, made friends with the local donut shop, and were always on the hunt for alligators and dinosaurs. Papa always found dinosaurs and hardly any alligators.
When Phil wasn’t working or with his grandsons, he could often be found playing cards or dominoes at Dry Lake, Texas (otherwise known as Lakewood to others) telling and retelling stories of the good ‘ol days and of he and his friends’ past. In fact, Phil will be remembered as an amazing domino player, and even competed at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo where he placed in a runner up position. “Ten Top Walkabout.”
Phil is survived by his loving son, Irvin Wayne Baker and wife Erin of Gonzales; Grandsons, Ellis and Rhett Baker; In-laws, Ira “Bair” and Kate Bairrington of Luling; Sister, Penny Lee and husband Robert of Gonzales; Brother Ronnie Baker and wife Susan of Meridian; Nephews Ryan Lee, Lance Baker (Meghan), and Micah Baker (Kayla); and niece April Bairrington.
Phil is preceded in death by his wife, Sheilah Kay Baker; his parents, Vic and Virgie Baker; his brother, Irvin Ray Baker; nephew Randall “Sport” Wayne Bairrington; and niece Kelsy Shea Baker.
Funeral Services for Phil Baker will be held on Tuesday, July 25 at 10 a.m., at the First Methodist Church of Gonzales, 426 St Paul St, Gonzales, Texas, with Pastor Matt Pennington officiating. Interment immediately following at the Luling City Cemetery. Pallbearers include Ryan Lee, Seth Powell, Lance Baker, Micah Baker, Tracy Windwehen, Roy Staton, Ricky Kotwig and Poochy Kridler. Honorary pallbearers include Brett Hill, Blaine Hill, Carl West, David May, Bubba Clary, Robert Lee, Kevin Bradley, Irvin Windwehen, Richard Robbins, and the Dry Lake Texas Domino Club. A reception will be held at Baker Boys BBQ following burial with special musical guests Bill Pekar and the Rainey Brothers. The family invites you out to share memories and stories over an ice-cold Shiner, and good music in Phil’s memory. The family will receive friends at Seydler-Hill Funeral home on Monday, July 24 from 5-7pm. Services are under the care and direction of Seydler-Hill Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Gonzales County Go Texan Committee at P.O. Box 81, Gonzales, TX 78629.