Joseph Allen Baker

Joseph Allen Baker, 80, beloved husband, daddy, grandaddy, father-in-law and friend left this world on Sunday, May 10th, 2026 with his wife and daughters by his side. Joe was born December 27th, 1945 in Springfield, Missouri to Joseph Shelton Baker and Ruby Sifferman Baker.

In Springfield, Joe met his wife of 58 years, Patricia Roehrs, in 7th grade ballroom dancing. In 1968, Joe graduated from Southwest Missouri State University, and after graduation began his career path in the insurance industry with the Travelers Insurance Company.

As Joe’s career with the Travelers progressed, he and Patty moved to Kansas City, Missouri. Soon after moving to Prairie Village, Kansas in 1972, they welcomed their older daughter, Jennifer Elizabeth and made their first home as a family on Rosewood Drive. In 1976, having been invited to join Bill Eddy and Tom Groene at Calvin Eddy and Kappelman insurance agency, Joe moved his young family to Lawrence, Kansas where they built community together for 50 years. In 1980, a second daughter, Kimberly Ann, was born and the family was complete.

With a natural inclination for sales and personal connections, his successful career with CEK lasted more than 39 years. In addition to the help he provided to his many clients, Joe gave selflessly of his time and talents to the Lawrence community and served on many boards. Some of the organizations that benefited from Joe’s generosity include The Lawrence Community Shelter, O'Connell Youth Ranch, DARE Drop-in Center, Cottonwood Inc., Boys and Girls Club, Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, and Friends of Raintree. He also served as Chairperson of the Lawrence Douglas County Planning Commission and on the parish council of Corpus Christi Catholic Church. He was a faithful friend and mentor to many.

Joe’s motto for life was “No Bad Days". His days were filled with fun, family, friendship and adventure. He always made time for his hobbies including golf at LCC, boating at Clinton Lake, riding his Harley to Sturgis and traveling with his family.

Joe loved and cared deeply for his family. He was a wise father-in-law to Josh Powers and Paul Rosel, and proud grandaddy to Ruby, Hazel, Harrison, Birdie and Gretchen. He enjoyed sharing in their accomplishments, aweing them with a card trick and making them laugh with the joke of the day.

Joe is survived by his wife Patricia, his daughters Jennifer Elizabeth Baker Powers (Joshua) and Kimberly Ann Rosel (Paul) and his five grandchildren. Other survivors include his brother and sister-in-law Robert Roehrs and Barbara Litvan, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Joe was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Ruby Baker, his older brother Darrell Eugene, brothers-in-law John K. Litvan and Daniel Gibson and sisters-in-law Shirley Roehrs, Susan Gibson and Brenda Baker.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, June 17 at 11:00 a.m. at Corpus Christi Catholic Church. A celebration of life will follow at the Cider Gallery, 810 Pennsylvania Street in Lawrence, Kansas. All are welcome to honor this remarkable life. In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions be made to the Douglas County Visiting Nurses Association in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary.