Obituary
Bradley Stanton Baker, 68, of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, died Sunday, March 5, 2023, at KU Medical Center. A visitation will be held from 4-6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 14, 2023, at Langsford Funeral Home, 15 S.W. 3rd St., Lee’s Summit, Missouri. Mass of Christian burial will be at 11 a.m., Wednesday, March 15, 2023, at Our Lady of the Presentation Catholic Church, 130 N.W. Murray Rd., Lee’s Summit, Missouri. Interment will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery, 701 S. Noland Rd., Independence, Missouri. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Brad’s honor to the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation.
Brad was born on April 20, 1954, in Kansas City, Kansas, to Harold and Betty (Blankenship) Baker. He graduated from North Kansas City High School. Brad worked full-time as a dispatcher and police officer for the Sugar Creek Police Department while working toward his BS in Administration of Justice from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
Brad married Marion Fries on March 11, 1978. That same year, Brad graduated from the Missouri State Highway Patrol Law Enforcement Academy as part of the 47th Recruit Class. They welcomed their daughter Alisa, in 1983.
During his 33 years with the Highway Patrol, Brad held many positions. He was a member of the Special Emergency Response Team, past president of the Missouri State Troopers’ Association (Troop A), and a part of the K-9 division. Brad was a 1990 Young Missourian and an Honorary member of the Tribe of Mic-O-Say. He worked part-time for United Airlines, a job that allowed him to travel extensively with his family.
After retiring from the Highway Patrol as a Sergeant, Brad continued to work in law enforcement, joining the Missouri State Gaming Commission as an investigator. During these years, he and Marion continued to travel, visiting many countries and states. On these trips, Brad loved trying new foods and local restaurants. At home, Brad enjoyed spending time in his custom designed kitchen where he often prepared gourmet meals for his family and friends. Brad also loved barbecuing, an interest he shared with son-in-law Craig. They competed in the American Royal and other barbecue contests with their team, Holy Smokes.
Brad’s family meant everything to him. He cherished his three grandchildren, Clayton, Amelia and Cole, and attended every ball game and dance competition he could. He planned elaborate vacations with Craig and Alisa’s family, including a memorable trip to Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Tetons, where a one-mile hike turned into nine! Brad also made sure to spend time with each grandchild individually so they felt special.
In 2019, Brad was diagnosed with Cholangiocarcinoma, a rare form of cancer affecting the bile ducts. He approached his cancer diagnosis like he did everything else, with wry humor and patented pragmatism. Brad was a great patient, except for that one time he decided to go to Hawaii instead of the doctor. He participated in several different treatment regimens and a clinical trial, and with his family raised $4,000 for the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation’s 1st Annual Moving for a Cure fundraiser. Brad’s family would like to thank the University of Kansas Medical Center, Dr. Al-Rajabi, and Lauren Barker, RN for their compassionate care during Brad’s illness.
Brad was a member of Our Lady of the Presentation Catholic Church, and we take solace that he is with our Heavenly Father. Knowing Brad, he is also enjoying the company of the German Shepherds he loved and trained.
Brad is preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Betty Baker; his sister, Judy Dutton; brothers-in-law Rick Dutton, Stanley Cropp and Frank Ulrich; sister-in-laws Elaine Fink and Marilyn Holliman. Brad is survived by wife Marion Baker; daughter Alisa Seidelman (Craig); grandchildren Clayton, Amelia and Cole; sister Cathi Cropp; and many nieces and nephews.
Condolences
Visitation
Lee’s Summit, MO 64063
Services
Lee's Summit, MO 64081
RIP Trooper–
Oh, wow I am so sorry and my condolences and prayers to the family. I also am sorry for not keeping up with him after I retired. I didn’t know he was battling again. I would love to come to service but with my doctors scheduled not sure I can. But I will definitely be thinking of him. He was a good solid man!
Bobbie and I cannot imagine the pain and heartache you’re feeling right now at Brad’s passing. Please accept our sincere condolences. We are praying for peace and comfort for Melissa, you, and the entire family. May all your wonderful memories comfort you during this difficult, heartbreaking time.
Rest in Peace Brad. Thoroughly enjoyed working with you. Always Blue.
Great coworker at United, happy gentlemen who will be very missed. Condolences to the family.
Many years ago I was assigned the responsibility of breaking Brad in as a member of the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Brad was a natural, easily combining his humor, intellect and genuine concern for folks into a recipe for success as a trooper. He was the most affable officer I was ever associated with but could conjure up the edge to handle folks who responded only to firmness when the circumstances demanded it. In addition to these qualities, Brad was a good person, reliable and loyal to his family, friends and the job at hand. He left a wake and touched many people professionally and personally. God bless him and his family.
The world is a lesser place without Brad. We were friends and “brothers in blue.” We met in 1981 and were friends for 42 years. His dry wit and humor helped both of us thru some difficult times. His upbeat demeanor is an inspiration to all of us. Love you my friend and I will miss you, till we meet again.
Brad was always a hard charger and always looked at the big picture. Loved his wit and dry sense of humor. Never once did he complain when I asked Troop A to have him and his K-9 buddy come out in the middle of the night to sniff around a car of someone I suspected was up to no good. We had several conversations during our time working the road together. His first question during all of those conversations was “How’s the family?” Brad was always a sincere when he posed that question. Brad led by example on and off-duty. He was an inspiration to all of us.
Rest in peace Brad. I will miss the American royal bbq weekends they were always a busy, long but fun weekend!
Brad was a kind and giving man. The twinkle in his eyes and his smile could communicate so much more than words. His firm sense of justice was evident in everything he did, and he was such a great husband, father and grandfather, as well as a true friend. There really aren’t words to express his loss. My heart goes out to you all, and I’m praying and will continue to pray for all of you and for Brad.
Brad was more than a friend, a boss a colleague. He was a mentor to me. He taught me how to be a competent supervisor. Everything Brad did in life, he did with 100% motivation/participation. That was with family, friends, and career. He really lived life to the fullest! I will forever admire and remember him for that.
RIP in the presence of our Heavenly Father.
I will always remember Brad as a kind, fun-loving, caring man who was fiercely devoted to his family and loved spending time with friends.
Brad will be missed. Marion and the family are in my prayers.🙏🙏
Georgia Cline
May you rest in peace, Brad. We hope you keep that dry wit in Heaven!
We have so many great memories of you during our lives in Concordia.
You and Marion were such good friends…cinnamon rolls at our house on Saturday night (even when you were on duty!) Remember chasing the pig? That’s one of the funniest stories.
Marion and Alissa, may happy memories of your time with Brad help to sustain you and give you solace. Sending many hugs.
Our Patrol Officer, Mr Baker. After such a long battle Sir, rest. May you rest in peace.
Met Brad a number of years ago when I worked for IPD. Brad would assist on calls and bring his wit and humor. I picked Brad’s brain as I was about to be a K9 handler. On one instance, he had me do a “bark and hold” with his work dog. For safety, he so professionally wrapped my arm in a windbreaker! Afterwards, my wife chuckled and said, “ you do know he wasn’t testing his dog, he was testing you”! Great man and Heaven has gained a Great Trooper! Until we meet again !
we are so sorry to hear of the passing of our dear friend, Brad. He was a compassionate, loving and funny friend! We loved spending time with the entire Baker clan. He was an amazing neighbor, as well as, our friend! So much fun times were shared around the pool and in each other’s homes. He will be extremely missed by all of us whose lives he touched and brought sunshine to. Our love to all of you.
Brad sounds like an absolutely amazing husband, father, and grandfather, who led an adventurous and fulfilling life. We are so sorry for your loss. My family has kept and will continue to keep your family in our thoughts and prayers.
Dear Marion and family,
I want to express my condolences to you and your family at this difficult time. I enjoyed meeting you and Brad at Dillon Beach and enjoyed relaxed conservation. I felt like I had known Brad for years. He was an open person with a deep connection with God and family. You are fortunate to have shared your life with a man who loved his family and friends and was active in showing that caring side of him to all. His legacy will be that everyone who knew him will carry on some part of them to make them better husbands, fathers, grandfathers, and caring friends. Love to all of you. Take care of yourself and I will be in touch when you have a moment to rest.
Love to all, Polly Day
RIP BROTHER
My condolences.
Marion and family.
My heartfelt condolences. Brad and l were roommates in the Patrol Academy and were often punished together for smoking. He was quite a guy! We were friends for life, and I will miss him, until we meet again in heaven.
Brad was a wonderful person, who will be missed by so many friends, family, and coworkers. It was a pleasure working with Brad. So sorry for your loss.
We are so sorry for the passing of Brad. Our hearts break for Marion and Alisa and the family. Prayers to the family!
Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family, Marion. We have been so blessed to have Brad as a neighbor, and a friend. Brad has been such an inspiration to us all! I have never met a man who worked so hard, yet also thoroughly enjoyed life, and had so much fun living it. Even when Brad found out that he had cancer, it didn’t seem to slow him down much. Brad and his family have traveled more since his cancer diagnosis, than a lot of people will in their lifetimes. Brad never gave up, gave life his all, even up until his final moments on this earth. What an inspiration he has been in our lives! “Well done, good and faithful servant!” Well done, indeed.
I am so very sorry. My deepest condolences and prayers for the family. I enjoyed working with him at United so very much. Always absolute joy to be around.
Brad and his family lived next door to our family on N. Brooklyn for several years and we have many great memories growing up as neighborhood kids. My parents and Harold and Betty were great friends. Brad was our boat sergeant at Harrah’s Casino and we reconnected years later in the casino industry. He had such a great sense of humor. Our condolences to your family and to everyone whose lives he touched.
Marion and family:
Sending prayers up for you to be comforted during this tough time. Brad was one of a kind and I am thankful to have had him as a boss and mentor.