James E. S. Baker, 90, retired trial lawyer, past President of the American College of Trial Lawyers (1979-80), partner and of counsel Sidley & Austin for over 40 years, died of heart failure early Wednesday morning at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Born May 23, 1912 in Evanston to John Clark and Hester Sproul Baker, he grew up in Wilmette, graduating top in his class at New Trier HS (1929), Northwestern Univ. (Chem Eng 1933), and Northwestern Law (1936). Participating in one of the first NROTC units while at Northwestern, he was commissioned in the Naval Reserve in 1933. A Pearl Harbor Survivor (USS Pelias) and Attack Transport skipper (USS New Kent) he served as Judge Advocate General for US Forces in Western Australia, 1942-43, while supporting Submarine Squadron TWELVE from Fremantle (Perth) Aust. and delivered combat troops all over the Pacific Theater in 1944-45 (Okinawa, Philippines, Japan). Active in legal, local and university support organizations, he was past president or chairman of NU Law Alums, Stanford Parents Club, Chicago Law Assn., Near North Lake Shore Drive Assn., his condo association, and NU John Evans Club, in addition to his duties as Regent of the American College of Trial Lawyers. Mr. Baker is survived by his loving son, John; granddaughter, Diane, and grandson, Charles. His wife, Eleanor (1972) and son, Graham (1988) predeceased him. Visitation will be Friday, Jan. 24, 2003, 5 to 8 p.m. at Michalik Funeral Home, 1056 W. Chicago Ave. (Ogden at Chicago Aves.) Chicago. Funeral service will be 11 a.m., Monday, Jan. 27, 2003 at the First United Methodist Church, 1630 Hinman Ave., Evanston, IL, 847-864-6181. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Skipper Jim Baker Memorial, USS Hornet Aircraft Carrier Museum, P.O. Box 460, Alameda, CA 94501. Funeral info: 312-421-0936
