John F. ""Doc"" Baur

""I have had a wonderful, amazing life. I couldn't have asked for more"". Those were some of John F. ""Doc"" Baur's last words before he passed away on March 22, 2015. John was born in Milwaukee on April 25, 1922 where he was raised by his Mother Lorraine and his Father Emil with his two sisters, Rosemary and Helen. He attended Milwaukee Country Day School from grade 1 through 12 where he acquired friendships that lasted his lifetime. After graduating from high school John attended Northwestern University where he studied pre-med with the goal of becoming a doctor like his Father. This is also when he acquired the lifelong nickname of ""Doc"". His studies were interrupted by World War ll when he enlisted in the Navy and became an ensign, piloting F6F Hellcat carrier-based fighter aircraft. The War ended before John was deployed into combat but his skills allowed him to fly lights-out night patrols off carriers while stationed in the South Pacific. He then sailed to Nagasaki Japan and was ashore shortly after the atomic bomb was dropped. After the war, John resumed his studies at Northwestern and graduated with a degree in Business. An ice hockey player since childhood, he continued playing throughout his college years for a semi-pro Chicago city team. In 1950, John married his beautiful wife, Mary Julie ""Judy"" Philipp in Milwaukee. Three years later they moved north to Neenah, Wisconsin where they raised their family of six children. Because of his many hunting trips to Montana when he was a young man, John developed a deep love of the west. So in 1969 John sold his truck leasing company and moved his family to Denver where he and Judy settled for the rest of their lives. During this time John owned two successful businesses and spent summers in his beloved Montana. John had many passions in life, especially his wife Judy, children, daughters-in-law and six grandchildren. Along with his love of life he enjoyed woodworking, reading, conversation, friendship, laughter, jazz, skiing, fishing, tennis, golf and horseback riding. John was a kind, generous, smart, funny and loving man. We will all miss him dearly. John is preceded in death by his loving wife Judy and his wonderful sons, Dick and Chris. He is survived by his sons Todd (Stephanie), Peter, and Andy (Betsy), daughter Cindy, daughter-in-law Vicki and grandchildren - Peter Jr., Lauren, Will, Katie, Natalie and Caroline. At one time John served on the Board of Directors for the Boys and Girls Club of Denver. In lieu of flowers you may send donations in John's memory to The Boys and Girls Club of Denver, 2017 West 9th Avenue, Denver, CO 80204. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, March 26, at 10 am, Church of the Risen Christ, 3060 S. Monaco, Denver, CO.