WHAT MAKES TEXAS “TEXAS”?
OUR most distinguished RANCHERS
"Spur is gentle but you have to be vigilant because he doesn't realize how big his horns are." by Ann Marie Kennon
John and Betty Baker have been breeding and showing champion stock from Liberty Hill for more than 40 years. They and the Sunrise Ranch are an important piece of the iconic Longhorn culture that has been a part of Texas history for more than 500 years.
The Bakers are also part of another, one-century-old
Longhorn tradition. While you may not be familiar with the ranch, or Sunrise Spur (above)—born January 24, 2015—you do know this sweet-natured giant by his showbiz moniker, Bevo XV. The Bakers also raised and allowed the University of Texas the use of the their similarly gentle Bevo XIV, born Sunrise Studly, and Sunrise Express who, as Bevo XIII, had the longest tenure in the school's history.
MEET THE BAKERS As breeders, and owners of three Bevos, John and Betty are superbly suited for the nurturing, and responsibility, of this unique, and pro bono job. With a shared affection for people, and Punkin (as Betty calls him), and 22
N O V E M B E R 2021 M Y JA R R ELL M O NT HLY
a great talent for storytelling, the University will be hard-pressed to succeed this gracious and affable pair. The Bakers met in high school, and dated when they both were in college. Betty jokes that being a twirler at UT was what finally turned John's head, and they were married one week after graduation. Betty went on to be an English teacher and John was commissioned in Naval aviation. He was stationed on an aircraft carrier and piloted an S-2 Tracker (submarine hunter) over A few of the Bakers' the Gulf of Tonkin in Vietnam. Cattleman trophy buckles .
RANCH DESTINY While he was on active duty, John told his father he wanted to "buy some dirt" and set about purchasing farmland in Liberty Hill. When he came home from serving the nation, he was eager to get started on the land that would, over time, be home to 100-plus champion livestock.
