Leonard Dale Baker, 82, of Houston, Texas sadly left us on June 13, 2022 following a brief illness. Dale was a much-loved husband, father and grandfather. He was a proud native Texan, born in Overton on January 11, 1940 to Leonard and Minnie Baker. Dale was a multi-sport athlete at Hawkins High School and earned a football scholarship at Rice University, playing for Hall of Fame coach Jess Neely in the early sixties. Upon graduation, Dale served his country with honor in the United States Marine Corps as a commissioned officer, earning the rank of captain and serving two tours of Vietnam. After his honorable discharge from the Marine Corps, Dale embarked on a successful high school football coaching career spanning over 30 years, included stints at Mexia, Temple, Houston Eisenhower, Hallsville, Spring, and Houston Aldine high schools. He was part of two state football championship teams: the 1979 Temple Wildcats and the 1990 Aldine Mustangs. He also served on two Texas High School Coaches Association All-Star coaching staffs. Dale was member of Houston’s Second Baptist Church and was dedicated to serving God and others. His legacy of faith, hard work, loyalty, love, and excellence was passed on to countless Texas high school students, coaching colleagues, friends, and family throughout his life. He was an uncommon man we will remember always.

Dale is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Carole Baker; his son and daughter-in-law, Bart and Stephanie Baker of Houston, Texas; his son-in-law and daughter, Joe and Leigh (Baker) Sharpe of Las Vegas, Nevada; his granddaughters, Amy Baker and Audrey Baker of College Station, Texas, and his brother Tommy Baker of Mineola, Texas. A family graveside service will be held in his honor at 9:00 am on June 21, 2022 at the Houston National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that friends consider a donation to Wreaths Across America supporting veterans’ services at the Houston National Cemetery