James Bauer

James Henry Thomas Bauer, a Marine, husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, lived a full eighty four years and passed away on the morning of July fourth. He was born April 25, 1921, the second youngest of eleven children by George and Mary Ann Bauer of Springfield. Jim attended St. Agnes high school and there played football, following with a course of study majoring in history at SMS. His intent was to become a teacher and football coach, but those dreams were put on hold to serve his country in WWII as a proud Marine. On Oct. 10, 1944 he was joined in marriage to Betty Ann Patterson of Springfield in a ceremony at Goleta Air Base in Santa Barbara, California. Jim served in the Battle in the Pacific at Iwo Jima, Rendova, Guadalcanal and the Marianas Islands. He also served during the Korean and Vietnam wars and was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service in setting up the first communications center in DaNang Air Base under extreme battle conditions. After twenty brilliant years in the USMC, Jim retired to Springfield and to his family. He joined the United States Postal Service and for eleven years carried one of the longest routes in Springfield, while managing a small farm on the city's eastside. Jim and Betty attended Holy Trinity Catholic Church. Heart disease necessitated early retirement, but it was the onset of Parkinson's disease that brought on the battle of his life. Jim continued his outdoor work, his support of the Springfield Catholic Schools and football program and the active love and support of his wife, "Liz" and of their five children and their spouses and families, Kitty Stringham and husband Bob, John Bauer and wife JoAnn, and Jim Bauer and wife Kathleen, all of Springfield, and of daughter Annamarie Bauer and partner Tom of Ouray, Colorado and son Joe Bauer of Los Angeles, CA. He also enjoyed sixteen grandchildren and nineteen great grandchildren. Generous, brave and kind, Jim was much beloved to the end. The family wishes to extend special thanks to the caregivers of James River Care Center of Springfield.

Rosary services will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday July 6, 2005 in Herman H. Lohmeyer Funeral Home 500 E. Walnut. Funeral mass will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in Holy Trinity Catholic Church with Fr. Fergus Monaghan and Msgr. Thomas Reidy concelebrants. Commital services with full Military Honors will be at 10 a.m. Friday in the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Springfield.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to Springfield Catholic School Endowment Fund, 3520 S. Culpepper 65804 and to the National Parkinsons Foundation