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[PCUSANEWS] Jim Baskin, prominent Texas Presbyterian, dies


From PCUSA NEWS <PCUSA.NEWS@ecunet.org>
Date Tue, 12 Aug 2003 14:42:49 -0500

Note #7875 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:

Jim Baskin, prominent Texas Presbyterian, dies
03332
August 12, 2003

Jim Baskin, prominent Texas Presbyterian, dies

San Antonio judge served church in countless ways

By Jerry L. Van Marter

LOUISVILLE - James D. Baskin, a renowned Texas attorney, judge and
Presbyterian, died Aug. 10 in a San Antonio hospital. Baskin, 80, had been in
declining health in recent years and died of complications following surgery
to remove a cancerous kidney.

A longtime member of San Antonio's First Presbyterian Church, Baskin served
on virtually every committee of his congregation and rose to prominence in
the Presbyterian Church (USA) through many years of service. He was an ardent
proponent of Presbyterian reunion in 1983.

Baskin carved an impressive niche as a social justice advocate. In 1979 he
nominated another activist, Al Winn, who that year was elected moderator of
the Presbyterian Church in the United States (PCUS) General Assembly.

Baskin served on the PCUS' Advisory Committee on Church and Society prior to
reunion and then on the Committee on Social Witness Policy of the reunited
PC(USA).

In 1993, then General Assembly moderator David Dobler appointed Baskin to the
General Assembly Nominating Committee from the Synod of the Sun. Dobler and
Baskin had served together on CSWP.

At the time of his death, Baskin was serving on the Northern Ireland Working
Group of the PC(USA), which works with Catholics in this country and both
Presbyterians and Catholics in Northern Ireland to try and achieve peace in
that troubled province.

Born in Cameron, TX, Baskin moved to Austin as a teenager. He completed one
year at the University of Texas before entering the U.S. Naval Academy,
graduating in 1946. After being discharged from the Navy in 1954, he
completed law school at the University of Texas and shortly thereafter moved
to San Antonio, where he lived the remainder of his life.

Baskin is survived by his wife of 57 years, Mary; three sons - the Rev.
Stuart Baskin of Greenville, MS, Jamie Baskin of Austin, and Bob Baskin of
Richmond, VA; a daughter, Molly Baskin of Wilmette, IL (and a member of the
board of directors of the Presbyterian Investment and Loan Program); two
brothers - Pat M. Baskin of Midland, TX, and William G. Baskin of Lake
Jackson, TX; and nine grandchildren.

Services for Jim Baskin were held Aug. 12 at First Church-San Antonio.

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