WHAT MAKES TEXAS "TEXAS"?

WHAT MAKES TEXAS “TEXAS”? OUR most distinguished RANCHERS

by Ann Marie Kennon

"Spur is gentle but you have to be vigilant because he doesn't realize how big his horns are."

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

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 the Gulf of Tonkin in Vietnam.

A few of the Bakers' 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.

Proud parents at the OU game

courtesy Betty Baker

"If I could live two lives, I would love to have continued in the Navy, too. The Navy was good to me, but I had created a plan to do something in business. I took my aviation education, and a like for people, and ended up in Austin with a partner in a Piper aircraft dealership, and the rest is history."

When the Bakers got out of the aviation business, they wanted to get out of the city so they came out to the ranch and made it their home.

HAPPENSTANCE

The Bakers were not intentional about their UT baby. "In fact," John says, "I didn't go to UT and didn't know anything about their traditions." Betty adds, "By 1988, we were showing a lot of animals and had no thoughts about a ‘Bevo.’ We just had a reputation in the industry for having good steers. The UT committee was at our show looking for a new mascot; they liked Grand Champion Express' size and coloring." The committee spent the summer considering him, but, Betty says, the Bakers were not part of the process and were simply delighted when they got the news.

With many Grand Champions and Junior Champions, it is no surprise also that John is also a past president of the Texas Longhorn Breeders Association of America and is still asked to judge their competitions all over the U.S.

RAISING CHAMPIONS

In addition to quality steers, the Bakers have helped train many young people, including their son, to show animals and live their best lives. Betty says, "John taught our son, when he was frustrated with an ornery calf at 8 years old, that what he started, he must finish. That advice has been helping him all his life and now he owns his own business too."

Prior to 2020, John and Betty shared their expertise with kids at their annual Sunrise Showmanship Camp. They opened their home to young people and filled the week with activities, training, speakers, and good manners, to help kids learn how to care for and show livestock. John says, "Longhorns and kids aren't so different when it comes to the need to nurture them early. If you wait until a kid is 15 years old to teach him, he's going to be set in his ways. We just always enjoyed the amazing transformations and the feedback from happy parents and grandparents."

WHAT IT TAKES

"Mom and Dad" provide daily care and feeding on their 250-acre ranch. Outside Bevo's 20 acres, which he shares with his half-brother, Two-Spot (below), there are other half-brothers and -sisters also growing up healthy and loved (and huge).

Two-Spot never feels left out though. Betty has close friends who come by to care for and keep him company when they are with Bevo at games and events. "It's like going to your kid's game, and we have loved getting to know students and alumni over the past 34 seasons," Betty says.

She feels fortunate to be in Liberty Hill but in a location people don't really find by accident. "Folks here have been very courteous about having this 'celebrity' close by. No one has ever abused the privilege of trying to get in to see him."

Bevo has a manager to handle official requests so the Bakers don't have to worry about making those tough choices, and, John adds, "Much of his job is about fundraising for UT and the Neighborhood Longhorns Program, a local education program. We let his manager and the Silver Spurs take care of his appearances so we just love on him, and keep him healthy and happy."

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