SMU Alum & Former TX Supreme Court Justice Baker Dead at 77

[MrMustang1965]

DALLAS (AP) - Services will be Wednesday in Highland Park for former Texas Supreme Court Justice James A. Baker of Dallas.

Baker was 77. He was diagnosed last year with cancer.

A statement from the high court says Baker died in his sleep yesterday.

Baker served from 1986 to 1995 on the Fifth District Court of Appeals in Dallas. Then-Governor George W. Bush appointed Baker to the Texas Supreme Court in 1995.

Baker was elected to a full 6-year term the next year.

He retired in August 2002. Baker then became a partner at Hughes & Luce LLP, now called K&L Gates.

Baker continued to work despite his illness. His last day in the office was Friday.

Baker earned his bachelor's degree and his law degree from Southern Methodist University.

Services for Baker will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Highland Park Presbyterian Church.

Besides his wife, he leaves behind two daughters, Carroll Baker of Dallas and Catherine Lassetter of Houston, and three grandchildren.