Judge Henry Baker, Newton County’s Probate Court Judge for the last 40 years was celebrated by dozens of Newton County and regional dignitaries for his decades of service Friday afternoon.

Baker will be retiring in January, after he announced his intention not to run for reelection earlier this year. As a farewell to the county’s longest serving judge, a reception was held at the Newton County Judicial Center in his honor.

Baker received several gifts paying homage to his service.

The Superior Court Judges, Office of Probate Judges, Newton County Juvenile Court, Porterdale Police Department, Jones County Probate Judge and the Newton County Sheriff’s Office all presented proclamations on plaques to Baker. During the reading of his proclamation, Newton County Sheriff Ezell Brown also pledged to rename the court room in the Newton County detention center the Henry A. Baker Courtroom.

Other gifts to Baker included, a portrait drawing of Baker from the Newton County Constitutional Officers, the only key to Newton County by Chair Keith Ellis, a key to the city of Covington by Mayor Ronnie Johnston, a clock and books from the city of Oxford, a shield from the Covington Police Department and a gift to be announced later from the Kiwanis Club of Covington