Jack Baumgardner

To know Jack was to love Jack.
To quote the Zach Brown Band…

“He was a giant
And I was just a kid
I was always trying
To do everything he did
I can still remember every lesson he taught me
Growing up learning how to be
Like my old man
He was a lion
We were our father's pride
But I was defiant
When he made me walk the line
He knew how to lift me up
And when to let me fall
Looking back, he always had a plan
My old man
I know one day we'll meet again
As he's looking down
My old man
I hope he's proud of who I am
I'm trying to fill the boots of my old man”

Jack’s whole world was the love of his life, Rita Mae, to whom he was married 67 years; his sister, Darlene; his kids, John (Shelly), Vicki (Dave) Klimek, Joe (Traci); grandkids, Chelsea (Britton), Zach (Alli), Sara, Alexi; and great grandkids, Camden and Baker. He couldn’t have loved them any more and he didn’t need to say it. You just knew, without a doubt.
He was so proud of his family. A true patriarch he was, not because he demanded it but because he led by example and you couldn’t help but want to be more like him. Jack was the salt of the Earth and displayed remarkable strength throughout his illness and to his very last, peaceful breath. We could all take a lesson from the book of Jack’s life; live fully, love unconditionally, honor fiercely, and embody loyalty, humor, work ethic, and honesty. Jack called it like he saw it and we all loved him for it!
He was loved by all who knew him from the ladies at the horse shows to the customers at Jack’s Masonry.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents, Jacob and Katie Baumgardner, and his brother, Jim.
Jack will be buried at the Veteran’s Cemetary where he will overlook the beautiful Equestrian Park that he was so instrumental in creating.
If you were lucky enough to love him, know him, or have a brief encounter with him…raise a glass of Jack Daniels to the Man, the Myth, the Legend. Jack Baumgardner was one of a kind.