Celebration of Life
Saturday, January 18, 2025
5:00 PM
Avery United Methodist Church
1152 Cheat Road
Morgantown, WV
Rev. Bryan Conrad Baker, 46, died suddenly on December 23, 2024, at his home in Boyds, MD. The son of the late Maurice Roger Baker and Elizabeth Wingold Baker, he was born April 30, 1978.
After his 1996 graduation from University High School in his hometown of Morgantown, WV, Bryan went on to receive his B.A. from West Virginia Wesleyan College in 2000. In 2007, he received his Master of Divinity degree from Duke University Divinity School and was ordained as a full elder in the United Methodist Church in 2010.
Rev. Baker was currently serving as a chaplain at Children's National Hospital in Washington D.C. Prior to that, Bryan had served as pastor of Claypool and later Ronceverte and Elizabeth Chapel United Methodist Churches in West Virginia.
His was a heart for mission. Before his marriage to Jaya Abraham in 2009, Bryan had served as a missionary in places as "close" as a Ute Indian Reservation in the states to the distant countries of Uganda and Rwanda in Africa. After his marriage and the subsequent births of his beloved children Elijah Zachery and Lily Anjali, he then served in West Virginia and later, D.C.
In addition to his ex-wife Jaya, his two children and his mother, Bryan Is survived by one brother, Benjamin Scott Baker, his wife Erika Shaffer and their three children, Eva Elizabeth, Olivia Marie and Cameron Thomas, all of Morgantown.
The family will hold a memorial service on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. at Avery United Methodist Church, 1152 Cheat Road, Morgantown, WV. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in his memory be made by check to the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) and mailed to Avery United Methodist Church, 1152 Cheat Road, Morgantown, WV 26508.
From: Andi Hughes
Bryan was a dedicated member of the cardiac ICU at Childrens National Hospital. He had a heart of service, and his passion for the care of his patients as well as the staff was deeply appreciated. A fond memory I share with Bryan is racing him neck in neck in kayaks at our work triathlon. His untimely passing is tragic, and we all grieve with his family.
From: Chaplain Lorraine Rose Decker
Bryan was very dear to me! He took me under his wing my first semester of Chaplaincy Education when I was alone, lonely, and new -- so far away from my home in Wisconsin. He helped me wade through technology that was unfamiliar to me. I'll never forget his great sense of humor, gentle spirit, and kindness! May the Lord grant you all peace in Bryan's passing.
From: Nancy Wert
“You meet people who forget you. You forget people you meet. But sometimes you meet those people you can’t forget. Those are your friends.” – Mark Twain Bryan was a very special man and friend who had such big dreams and plans. When I heard of his passing, my heart sank to think that these dreams and plans would not be possible now. I had just chatted with him about 10 days prior and he seemed so full of joy and passion. I am so very sorry for your loss, he will be greatly missed for all the love he was able to share with family, friends and his patients and parents who could always count on him. He is now with the God he loved...but we will miss him dearly.
From: The Hilton Family
Our deepest condolences to your family.