Obituary for John Kenneth Bauer
John Kenneth Bauer passed away February 12, 2022 from complications of Dementia.
John was born August 25, 1953 in New York City. The son of George and Dorothy “Dolly” Bauer, he lived all over the world. From New York City, Germany, France, South Dakota, the island of Crete and Alaska, his parents eventually made their home in Springfield, Michigan as his father had a long career in the military.
One of five brothers, often known around Battle Creek as the “Bauer Boys”, he along with brothers George, Jeff, Ken and cousin Tommy Mara, were often seen playing sports in the front yard of their home on Avenue C. Those pickup games turned into a standout high school sports career and he remains one of the greatest athletes to come out of Battle Creek. John was a multiple sport athlete as a Springfield Ram, he was voted first team UPI and Associated Press all-state in basketball and football, and voted Enquirer Athlete of the Year in 1970 for basketball, holding school and city records in points. He was recruited for both basketball and football, with scholarship offers all over the country, but he chose to remain close to home and went on to play basketball for Western Michigan University. He continued supporting his love of basketball by announcing games in the Battle Creek area on Access Vision.
Working in manufacturing for more than 35 years, he was well versed in Supply Chain Management and retired from Goodwill Industries of Central Michigan’s Heartland in 2018 as Vice President of Private Contracts (Manufacturing).
John was a gentle soul, a friend to many and a kid at heart. He loved the beach, playing pool, golf, and pickup basketball in the driveway with his children and their friends. He often had Dean Martin or Frank Sinatra playing, especially on a summer evening while enjoying the occasional 7&7 in his backyard. Affectionately known as “Papa John” to his 10 grandchildren, he was able to share his love of aviation, animals and sports with them, along with long walks around the neighborhood.
He is preceded in death by his wife of almost 3 decades, Marjorie Bauer and his parents, George and Dolly and brother, Jim. He is survived by his daughter, Allie (Mark) Morosky, step-children, Bobbie (Domanick) Squires, Ronnie (DeAndra) Bosch, and Joseph (Haley) Bosch and grandchildren, Beau and John Morosky, Shelby, Parker, Fischer, and Sadie Squires, Bennett and Raegan Bosch, Eleanor and Emelia Bosch and devoted brothers, George Bauer, Jeff Bauer, Ken (Debra) Bauer, cousin, Tommy Mara and long-time friend, Val Bauer and many other loving family members in Michigan, New York and Texas.
A celebration of life for family and friends will be scheduled at a later date.
John was born August 25, 1953 in New York City. The son of George and Dorothy “Dolly” Bauer, he lived all over the world. From New York City, Germany, France, South Dakota, the island of Crete and Alaska, his parents eventually made their home in Springfield, Michigan as his father had a long career in the military.
One of five brothers, often known around Battle Creek as the “Bauer Boys”, he along with brothers George, Jeff, Ken and cousin Tommy Mara, were often seen playing sports in the front yard of their home on Avenue C. Those pickup games turned into a standout high school sports career and he remains one of the greatest athletes to come out of Battle Creek. John was a multiple sport athlete as a Springfield Ram, he was voted first team UPI and Associated Press all-state in basketball and football, and voted Enquirer Athlete of the Year in 1970 for basketball, holding school and city records in points. He was recruited for both basketball and football, with scholarship offers all over the country, but he chose to remain close to home and went on to play basketball for Western Michigan University. He continued supporting his love of basketball by announcing games in the Battle Creek area on Access Vision.
Working in manufacturing for more than 35 years, he was well versed in Supply Chain Management and retired from Goodwill Industries of Central Michigan’s Heartland in 2018 as Vice President of Private Contracts (Manufacturing).
John was a gentle soul, a friend to many and a kid at heart. He loved the beach, playing pool, golf, and pickup basketball in the driveway with his children and their friends. He often had Dean Martin or Frank Sinatra playing, especially on a summer evening while enjoying the occasional 7&7 in his backyard. Affectionately known as “Papa John” to his 10 grandchildren, he was able to share his love of aviation, animals and sports with them, along with long walks around the neighborhood.
He is preceded in death by his wife of almost 3 decades, Marjorie Bauer and his parents, George and Dolly and brother, Jim. He is survived by his daughter, Allie (Mark) Morosky, step-children, Bobbie (Domanick) Squires, Ronnie (DeAndra) Bosch, and Joseph (Haley) Bosch and grandchildren, Beau and John Morosky, Shelby, Parker, Fischer, and Sadie Squires, Bennett and Raegan Bosch, Eleanor and Emelia Bosch and devoted brothers, George Bauer, Jeff Bauer, Ken (Debra) Bauer, cousin, Tommy Mara and long-time friend, Val Bauer and many other loving family members in Michigan, New York and Texas.
A celebration of life for family and friends will be scheduled at a later date.