Dr. Russell Earl Baker, Ruidoso, NM, formerly of Hawley, TX, passed away due to natural causes Tuesday, July 27, 2021 in Roswell, NM. Memorial services honoring Russell will be held Friday, August 13, 2021, at 3:00 p.m. at North's Funeral Home located 242 Orange Street, Abilene, TX 79601. Pastor Jeff "Fuzzy" Smith will officiate. Burial will be at Hodges Cemetery at a later date. Russell was born July 6, 1971, in Abilene, TX, to Frances Gibbons and Robert Earl Baker. He received his primary education at Hawley Public Schools, graduating from high school there in 1989 . Higher Education: . Eastern New Mexico University, Portales, NM. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in May 1993. He was a member of Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity. . West Texas A&M University, Canyon, TX. He earned a Masters of Art degree in History in August 1997. . Texas A&M University, Commerce, TX. He earned a Doctor of Education (EdD) degree in May 2005. . Russell began his service to ENMU - Roswell in 2005 as Academic Director of Student Support Services and then Program Director of Student Support Services. After leaving ENMU - Roswell for a few years and working at Highland University - Las Vegas, NM, as Supplemental Instruction Supervisor, he returned to ENMU in 2015 to a position as Director of Student Support Services. His last position as "Director of Student Success Center" was his most cherished. Russell's dedication to his students leaves behind an exemplary legacy; one which enriched the "Student Success Center." He will be sorely missed. Russell is preceded in death by his father Robert Earl Baker - Clyde, TX. Grandmothers: Leona Baker - Okra, TX and Eretta Shelton - Abilene, TX. Left to cherish his memories are: mother Frances Baker Kerr - Abilene, TX. brother Robert Eugene Baker and wife Gracie Roa Baker both of Hodges, TX. nephew Ryan Baker - Odessa, TX. niece, Angela Garcia and husband Israel Garcia - daughter Adrienne Garcia, all of Abilene, TX. aunt Jean Agnew - Cisco, TX. uncle Jim Nelson - Potosi, TX. brother Shawn Kerr and wife, Sherry - children Taylor, Bo, and Luke - all living in Lazbuddie, TX. Close Friends to Family: Vanessa Hollmann - Roswell, NM. Veronica Regalado - Roswell, NM. Jess Anderson - Abilene, TX. James Edwards - Roswell, NM. and surviving co-workers, classmates, and friends. Online Condolences may be made at ­ Family Suggests Memorials to: . Eastern New Mexico University Success Center c/o Craig Collins, Foundation Coordinator (craig.collins@roswell.enmu.edu ­) P.O. Box 6000 Roswell, NM 88202-6000 Phone: 575/420-0765