State Senator Walter M. Baker

State Senator Walter M. Baker, age 84, of Elkton, MD, passed away Tuesday, April 17, 2012. Born on the family farm near Port Deposit, MD, on September 23, 1927, he was the son of the late Vernon C. and Keturah McCain Baker.

Senator Baker was a graduate of Perryville High School, Washington College, Chestertown, MD, where he received the Sadler Award for finishing first in his graduating class for Political Science Majors, and University of Maryland Law School. Until the age of 16, he worked on the family farm and in his senior year of high school, drove a school bus. From 1944 to 1945, he was a barrack clerk for the Maryland State Police; a Coca-Cola salesman from 1945 to 1946; and owned and operated an automobile repair garage from 1946 to 1950. From 1950 to 1953, Senator Baker served in the U.S. Army, achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant. Upon his discharge from the Army and while attending college, he drove a taxi and charter bus full- and part-time until 1957. He then went on to become an insurance claims adjuster until 1961.

Senator Baker entered into the practice of law in 1961, and often stated he "never stopped practicing, but slowed down in 1991". From 1961 to 1965, he served as State's Attorney. In 1978, he was elected to the Maryland State Legislature, where he served until 2002. While serving in the legislature, he was the chairman for 16 years of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee. Senator Baker was instrumental in procuring the streetscape project funding for Elkton's Main Street.

Senator Baker was a past member of the Court of Appeals Committee on Rules of Practice and Procedures. This committee adopts rules used by lawyers practicing in Maryland. He was past member of the Rules Committee, which adopts rules used by legislators in Maryland; a past member of the Executive Nominations Committee; the Insurance Reform and Oversight Committee; the National Conference of State Legislators; and Southern Legislative Conference. He also served as past member of many other task force committees for both federal and state governments. Senator Baker was a past president of the Cecil County Bar Association.

Senator Baker was a 50-year member of Harmony Lodge, Port Deposit and a 32nd Degree Mason of the Nur Temple. He was a life member of both American Legion Post #135, Perryville, MD, and VFW Post #6027, North East, MD. Senator Baker had been a member and past president of the Elkton Rotary Club, a charter member of the Elks Lodge, and a member of Loyal Order of Moose, Lodge #851, both in Elkton. He was also a member of Chantilly Country Club, Rising Sun, MD, and the Newark Country Club, Newark, DE. He was named Elkton Citizen of the Year in 2000. On February 22, 2003, Senator Baker was conferred an honorary doctorate degree by his alma mater, Washington College, for his many years in public service.

He felt the most important thing he ever did in his life was marry his lover, supporter and life companion, Jean Charsha Baker, on September 18, 1954. He loved being with his family, especially his grandchildren, and enjoyed spending the winter months at his residence in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands.

In addition to his wife of 58 years, survivors include his children, The Honorable Stephen Baker and wife, Allison, and Nancy Brown and husband, Peter; grandchildren, Benjamin Brown and wife, Melissa, Erin Griffith and husband, Matthew, Matthew and Amanda Brown, Stephanie, Scott, Brian and Philip Baker; great-grandchildren, Luke and Liam Brown and Jay Griffith; siblings, Raymond Baker, Garland, TX, George Baker and wife, Anne, John Baker and wife, Patricia, Elinor Harris, Ethel Atkinson and husband, Kirkwood, all of Perryville, MD, and Virginia Coleman and husband, William, Gloucester Point, VA; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Senator Baker was preceded in death by his siblings, Russell, Wilbur and Robert Baker, Elsie Vandenberg and Edith Moulton.

Visitation will be held from 2-4 p.m. and from 6-8 p.m., Saturday, April 21, 2012, at Hicks Home for Funerals, 103 W. Stockton St., Elkton, MD. Funeral service will begin 2 p.m., Sunday, April 22, at Elkton United Methodist Church, 219 E. Main St., Elkton, with military honors. Private entombment will be in Hopewell Cemetery, Port Deposit, MD.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Senator Walter M. and Jean C. Baker Scholarship Fund at Cecil College Foundation, 1 Seahawk Dr., North East, MD 21901.