Obituary of Clarence T. Baum

Clarence T. "John" Baum, of Parker, Colorado, died at home in his sleep February 25, 2012. A vigil will be held at Ave Maria Catholic Church Wednesday, February 29, 2012 at 7:00 PM. Ave Marie will also host a funeral mass in John's honor at 11:00 AM on Thursday, March 1. A veteran of the United States Air Force, after cremation John will be honored with a full military burial service at Fort Logan National Cemetery on Monday, March 26, 2012, 11:00 a.m., Staging Area "A". John was born March 16, 1942 in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, to Bertha Louise (Unis) Baum and Clarence Theodore Baum. John enlisted in the Air Force in 1964, and served his country with pride and distinction for 20 years. John married Sally Anne Evancho on May 13, 1972. During his time in the Air Force, John served tours abroad in Wakkanai, Japan and, Berlin, Germany (where his first two children, Susan and Christopher, were born); as well as throughout the United States in places such as Cheyenne Mountain in Colorado (during which time his youngest child, Steven, was born), the Air Force Observatory at Maui, Hawai'i, and finally at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, Nevada. Upon retiring from the Air Force in 1984, John continued work in the defense industry when he took employment with Lockheed Missiles & Space Company in Sunnyvale, California. Lockheed merged with another corporation to become Lockheed Martin in 1995, at which time John and Sally returned to their beloved Colorado. John retired from Lockheed Martin in 2006, having spent a total of 42 years over two careers proudly serving his country. In retirement, John enjoyed volunteer work with the Denver Visiting Nurses Association and the Wildlife Experience. John is survived by his loving wife of 39 years, Sally; daughter Susan, of Aurora, Colorado; son Christopher and his partner Frances Geller of Kew Gardens, New York; son Steven, of Denver. The family has asked that in lieu of flowers donations be made in John's name to the Denver Dumb Friends League, ASPCA, or other animal rescue charity. Funeral arrangements have been made through Ponderosa Valley Funeral Services of Parker, Colorado. Service Information