Steven Scott Baker

Steven Scott Baker, known throughout Lynchburg as Stevo, passed away peacefully in his sleep on July 23rd.  Born in Norfolk, Virginia, on April 4, 1963 to the late Paul Gene and Doris Ann Baker, Stevo was also preceded in death by his beloved brother Terry. He is survived by Tami Gouner of Louisiana and several other cousins.

If Stevo were a word cloud, the biggest words would be family, drums, trains, and cats; these were the great loves of Stevo’s life, and he loved them all deeply.

The Bakers lived in Virginia Beach and Hawaii before moving to Lynchburg in 1972. As a teenager at Brookville High School, Stevo started playing drums with older brother Terry’s band and essentially never put his sticks down until the severe heart disease, that eventually took his life, made it impossible to play.  Stevo’s list of bands and band mates is as long as it is diverse: spanning rock and roll, blues, country and jazz, Stevo could play anything. Lynchburg fans will remember The Dog Boys, The Gawking Geeks, Frenzy, Naked Lunch, Waxing Moonhats, Pearl Blue, Shytown, Jack Sutherlin Band, The Fabulous Screwdaddys, Scratch Gravel Road, The Podaddys, The Mark Miller Band, and many more.  By nature self-effacing, Stevo said that it was behind his drum kit that he felt most alive, most fulfilled, and most confident. Stevo was a musician to his core and never stopped pursuing his passion; his Facebook page is crowded with videos and links to music he just had to share with his many friends.

Stevo loved and knew a lot about trains, train models, and train chasing.  He could often be found down at the tracks waiting and watching for trains to go by. He was an expert modeler, delighting in fine detail work. Stevo also loved all animals, but particularly cats. He doted upon his many feline companions through the years; Facebook friends will remember Bart and the famous one-eyed Jack, who Stevo loved with all his heart.

As an adult, Stevo lived in Virginia Beach, Atlanta, and Northern California, as well as in Lynchburg. In addition to being a musician, Stevo supported himself with a variety of jobs, including at the legendary Record Exchange, Mariani Furniture, Clifton Studios, Trains Unlimited, and others.  From 2009 to 2015, Stevo took care of first his father and then his mother through their final years and illnesses.  He then moved to California to be with brother Terry, who was diagnosed with lung cancer. Stevo took care of Terry until he passed in 2018.

These successive family losses took a deep toll on Stevo, who by this point was also dealing with his own catastrophic cardiovascular issues. Triple bypass surgery in 2010 was followed by years of treatments, medications, and procedures. Relocating in Lynchburg in 2018, Stevo’s health steadily deteriorated over the last four years, preventing him from being able to work or play music. Stevo appreciated the care he received at Stroobants Cardiovascular Center, particularly from the team who helped him through his EECP treatments in recent months. He also appreciated the many kindnesses of the people who took him in and helped him out through his recent hard times.

Friends of Stevo describe him with remarkably similar words:  Sweet, kind, tender-hearted, funny, easy-going, talented, a gentle soul. Always ready for fun, always willing to listen, always curious about the world and life, always generous of his time, always searching, always rocking, always…Stevo.

There will be a gathering to celebrate Stevo’s life – with music, of course! – in the coming weeks; please check FB and here for upcoming details.

But in the meantime, if you want to honor and celebrate this wonderful man’s life and love, just get in your car, head out on a beautiful country road, crank up your favorite song, and nod your head to the beat…and he’ll be right with you, jammin’.

TO MAKE DONATIONS FOR STEVO’S FUNERAL SERVICES PLEASE CLICK HERE