If you’ve spent any time walking the brick-lined streets of Old Town Fort Collins over the last few decades, you probably saw him. A tall, energetic man with a quick smile and an even quicker hug. Larry Baker wasn't just a guy who lived here. He was a fixture. A local legend who basically treated the entire city like his own personal living room.
Honestly, it’s hard to put Larry into a single box. Was he a businessman? Sure. He founded and owned several successful salons both in Ohio and right here in Colorado. Most recently, people knew him as the heart and soul of Headturners Salon on South Mason Street. But calling him "just a barber" is like calling the Rocky Mountains "just some hills."
In June 2025, the community faced a heavy blow when Larry passed away at the age of 80. His disappearance and the subsequent discovery at Watson Lake shook the town, but the stories that emerged afterward painted a picture of a man who lived more life in eight decades than most people could in sixteen.
The Man Behind the Chair at Headturners
Larry didn't just cut hair; he performed what some might call "follicular therapy." You’ve probably had a haircut where you barely exchange two words with the stylist. That wasn't Larry. He was the kind of person who remembered your kids' names, your dog’s birthday, and that one time you mentioned being stressed about a job interview three years ago.
He was most recently found at Headturners Salon in Fort Collins. For Larry, the salon was a stage and a sanctuary. He started cutting hair for some families when the kids were only five years old. Decades later, those same "kids" were bringing their own children to see him. That’s the kind of loyalty you don't buy with a Yelp ad. It’s built through thousands of hours of listening.
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Walking the Beat in Old Town
Larry Baker was famous for what his friends called his "Old Town beat." He had this routine where he’d wander through downtown Fort Collins, popping into restaurants, saying hi to waitstaff, and checking in on local shop owners. He wasn't selling anything. He was just... there.
He was often called a "nightclub evangelist," but not in the way you might think. He wasn't standing on a soapbox with a megaphone. Instead, Larry would be the guy at the bar at 2:00 AM—not drinking, but making sure a younger friend got home safely as a designated driver. He had this L.O.V.E. method of moving through the world that was all about presence and genuine care.
Imagine an 80-year-old man who is cooler than the college kids at Colorado State University. That was Larry. He bridged the gap between generations effortlessly.
It's a God Thing: The Author and the Mentor
A lot of people don't realize that Larry was also a published author. About twenty-five years ago, he teamed up with Becky Lyles to write a book titled It's a God Thing! Inspiring Stories of Life-Changing Friendships.
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The book wasn't a theological dissertation. It was basically a collection of "Larry stories." It detailed the weird, wonderful, and seemingly coincidental ways he connected with people. He believed that no meeting was an accident. If you bumped into him at a coffee shop, he figured there was a reason for it.
Why People Called Him a "Big Brother"
For many in Fort Collins, Larry served as a surrogate family member. One local, Julie Dubas, shared a story about how she reached out to Larry when she started dating again after 30 years. She needed a "big brother type" to vet her new boyfriend. Larry, being Larry, spent an evening with them, offering wisdom and discernment.
He had this uncanny ability to make you feel like the only person in the room. In a world that’s increasingly distracted by screens, Larry’s focused attention was a rare gift.
A Legacy That Isn't Just Memories
When Larry Gordon Baker passed in 2025, the outpouring of grief on social media and at his memorial at Timberline Church was massive. But the real legacy of Larry Baker Fort Collins isn't found in a funeral program.
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It’s found in the way people in this town treat each other. He taught a lot of us that you don't need a fancy title or a million dollars to make an impact. You just need to show up. You need to walk your beat.
He was an avid fisherman, a man of faith, and a business owner who prioritized people over profits. His death at Watson Lake was a tragic accident, but his life was anything but accidental.
How to Carry on the Larry Baker Spirit
If you’re looking for a way to honor a local legend like Larry, you don't have to do anything grand. Start small.
- Be the "Designated Friend": Look out for people in your social circle who might be struggling or just need a ride home.
- Listen More Than You Talk: Next time you’re getting a haircut or sitting at a bar, ask the person next to you a genuine question and actually listen to the answer.
- Support Local: Larry was a champion of the Fort Collins small business scene. Keep Old Town vibrant by showing up for the people who run the shops.
- Write Your Own Stories: Maybe you aren't going to publish a book, but take note of the "coincidences" in your life that led to great friendships.
Larry Baker was a reminder that the heartbeat of a city isn't its infrastructure; it’s the people who take the time to "hug necks" and listen to the stories of their neighbors.
If you want to dive deeper into the local history of the people who shaped Fort Collins, start by visiting some of the legacy businesses in Old Town. Take a walk down Mason Street, stop by a local salon, and ask the long-time residents about the "Barber of Old Town." They’ll have plenty of stories to share.