Colonel Harlan Hubert “Tex” Baker, Jr.

Colonel Harlan Hubert “Tex” Baker, Jr.

Colonel Harlan Hubert Baker, Jr., U.S. Army (Retired), “Tex” to his friends, passed away January 14, 2026, in Harlingen, Texas. He was born to Harlan Hubert “Bill” Baker, Sr., and Dallas Critchett Baker in San Benito, Texas, on February 6, 1936. He was the brother of Barbara Baker Walters and Thomas Curtis Baker.

After graduating as a proud Greyhound from San Benito High School, he attended Texas Christian University on a tennis scholarship and earned his commission in the U.S. Army, where he ultimately retired as a Colonel. During his many years of service to his country, he served a tour in Vietnam and later commanded the Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

After his military career, Tex returned to his hometown of San Benito, where he married Ann d’Hemecourt, settled down, and managed his parents’ citrus farm, Baker’s Acres. For over a decade, Tex offered locals and Winter Texans the juiciest grapefruit and citrus. One of his favorite pastimes was strumming the banjo, reviving classics, and belting out standards whenever he had the chance.

He is survived by his wife, Ann d’Hemecourt Baker; his children, Matthew Charles Kelley Baker and Diane Rene Baker; his grandchildren, Logan Kelley Baker and Maeve Kelley Baker; Curtis Petta, Dallas Petta, and Cole Petta; and his great-granddaughter, Phoebe Kelley McGovern.

Tex was a tough old bird who gave as good as he got. He will be missed.

The Baker family will receive relatives and friends on Sunday, January 25, 2026, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Buck Ashcraft San Benito Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held on Monday, January 26, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. in the funeral home chapel, with Rev. Janet Meschi officiating. Interment with full military honors will follow at 2:00 p.m. on Monday at the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery in Mission, Texas.

To view a livestream of the funeral service, click the following link: https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTc2OTExNzYwMjM5ODE5NCZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw==