John Robert Baer, 54 years old, formerly of California, and presently residing in his brother's home in Stafford VA, went to be with the Lord on December 7, 2010 at 3:15 a.m. He fought a strong fight with aggressive brain cancer, while being cared for by his mother, father and brother Tim, and also by a very caring and supportive Hospice team.
John was born in Marion Ohio, on October 6, 1956, to Rev. Robert and Joanne Baer.
His older brother Mark and wife Linda reside in Powder Springs, GA. His younger brother, CH (MAJ) Timothy Baer resides in Stafford.
John graduated from Columbus Grove High School in Ohio, and attended Ohio State University for two years. From the time John was in fourth grade he has played the drums and was a percussionist in various Churches.
While on tour with the “Christian Musician Carman” he met his future wife, Mary Dugas, and they were married in November 1989. They resided in Lockhart, and Austin, Texas for approximately ten years, where John started and ran his own muffler shop. John closed his shop and their family moved to Huntington Beach, CA in 1997. John and Mary had three beautiful children together: Jason, Corbin and Camille.
John has been actively involved in church all of his life, and is a member of Beachside Calvary Church in California. John was an employee of BNSF railroad in California until he had to take medical leave.
John is survived by his loving parents: Robert and Joanne Baer; brothers: Timothy and Mark Baer. He is also survived by his wife, Mary; and three children: Jason Robert (21), Corbin Andrew (17), Camille Anne (15), who all reside in Huntington Beach CA. Other surviving family members are Aunts: Mary Jane Graham and Donna R. Baer; and Uncle, Edward Baer; who are all from Marion, Ohio; and his Eastern nephews: Stephen Robert, and Timothy Joel; and nieces: Sarah Ruth Elmer, Rachel E. Baer, Hannah Lee Baer, and Abigail Joanne Baer; plus many other relatives out West.
John built many deep and lasting relationships and has friends across the United States. He had a very close relationship with his Father-in-law Howard Dugas of Lockhart Texas.
The Baer family will greet friends from 4 – 7 p.m. on Saturday, December 11, 2010, at the Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home, 360 E. Center St., Marion. Services honoring his life will also be held there on Sunday at 3:00 p.m. with his CH (MAJ) Timothy Baer officiating, and music provided by Mark and Hannah Baer. Burial will follow in Waldo Cemetery, where he will be laid to rest beside his Grandma Mildred Corbin.
In lieu of flowers, Donations may be made to Mary Washington Hospice, 5012 Southpoint Parkway, Fredericksburg, VA 22407
For those wishing to express their condolences online to John’s family, you may do so by visiting www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.