Eugene P. (Sonny) Baldwin (1935-2008) was memorialized by the Ocmulgee Bar Association on Monday, May 4 at the opening of the May Superior Court term. The Honorable William A. Prior Jr., Chief Judge Superior Courts and former law partner of Baldwin presided over the ceremony. Jay V. Dell Jr., president of the Ocmulgee Bar Association and Attorney Pamela Lohr Hendrix submitted a proclamation on behalf of the Association commemorating the life, service and character of Mr. Baldwin. Afterwards former colleagues of Baldwin’s offered words of remembrance and friendship.

The son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Baldwin, Sonny graduated from Morgan County High School in 1953. That same year he, as quarterback, led his football team to the infamous undefeated, 10-0 regular season play, the record still unmatched today in Morgan County.

Baldwin first attended Georgia Institute of Technology for two years then transferred to the University of Georgia in 1956 with a goal of pursuing law. After completing his undergraduate studies in accounting, he entered the University of Georgia Lumpkin School of Law. While at the University of Georgia he was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, the Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Fraternity and the Phi Delta Phi International Legal Fraternity. He was admitted to the Georgia Bar on May 14, 1960 and also to the Tennessee Bar that same year.

Baldwin began his practice of law with the firm of Swafford, John and Taylor in Chattanooga, Tennessee. After two years, he returned to Georgia clerking for Justice Bond Almand of the Georgia Court of Appeals before opening his own practice in Madison in December 1962. Though he closed his downtown office several years ago he continued to practice law for his long time clients until his death in June 2008.