Former Fort Stockton Attorney Robert W. (Bob) Baker was recently honored by the State Bar of Texas for continuous practice of law for over 50 years. He was presented an award for Meritorious Service “to the Community, State, and Nation” from 1972 to 2022.

“It is a true testament to the faithfulness of many clients we have had the privilege of serving over the years – and of course, the grace and mercy of God and my wife, Carol, who graduated to heaven in 2014,” Baker said.

As a former editor and front-page columnist for the Pioneer, Baker moved back to his hometown to open his firm after a three-year stint with Scott, Hulse, Marshall, Feuille in El Paso.

Baker, who practiced law with retired District Judge Hart Honson and his lifetime friend, Martin Adams, co-founded the firm of Adams and Baker in 1976. Together they represented many of the ranches and business owners in Pecos and Terrell counties, and Baker went on to serve as counsel to both Pecos County State Bank and First National Bank.

In 1982, Baker sold his interest in the firm and building on Main Street to become a land attorney for Energy Management Corporation (EMC), a New York Stock Exchange company, headquartered in Denver, Colorado. He rose through the corporate ranks at EMC and was named Senior Vice President and General Counsel for the firm in 1987.

After the company was acquired by Wall Street investors, Baker remained on as the sole transitional officer for the company and its many affiliates until 1989. After operating a solo law firm in the Denver suburbs, Baker became an ordained pastor and served for many years as marriage and family pastor and executive paster for Vineyard Christian Fellowship in Boulder, Colorado, which was later renamed Vinelife Community Church.

In 2021, Baker and his late wife were chosen to host a radio show on KPOF 910 AM in Denver, a weekly marriage and family discussion program. During that same season, Baker served as Director of the Colorado Marriage Project. He and Carol presented dozens of marriage parenting workshops throughout the Rocky Mountain region and in other states, including military installations.

They were co-founders of Marriage Foundations of Colorado, which is dedicated to “restoring, redirecting, and refreshing” marriages. In 2003, Baker was named Pastor of the Year in Colorado by Rocky Mountain Family Council, alongside Lieutenant Governor Jane Norton, who was also honored for her work on pro-life and pro-family legislation.

At age 80, having survived multiple heart attacks and numerous hear surgeries/procedures, Baker currently operates a solo law practice in Timnath, Colorado, a suburb of Fort Collins.

He serves as a consultant to numerous Christian non-profits in the Denver Metro area and spends a lot of time with his seven grandchildren, 21 grandchildren, and one great granddaughter.

“Growing up in Fort Stockton was a great training ground for what life had ahead of us, and I am eternally grateful to so many Scout and church leaders, teachers, coaches, and my parents’ peers who guided me along the way for 12 years in Fort Stockton schools, football practices, 4-H adventures, Scout camping trips, choir practice, band performances, and so much more,” he said.