Allan Oliver Baer, Jr.'s Obituary
Allan Oliver Baer, Jr, age 88, slipped away peacefully to join the love of his life on January 6, 2025 at UF Health in Gainesville, Florida after a brief hospital stay.
Allan was born on April 13, 1936 to Allan O. Baer, Sr. and Dorothy Simpson Baer at Alachua General Hospital in Gainesville, Florida. As a teenager, Allan worked for his parents driving a bicycle powered ice cream cart to sell ice cream for Polar Baer Ice Cream in Gainesville, Florida. In 1954, he graduated from P. K Yonge High School . After graduation, Allan served in the United States Army Reserve and was honorably discharged in March of 1962 as a Storekeeper Second Class SK-2, after eight years of service.
In 1959, he was introduced to the love of his life, Mary Alice. Shortly after they were introduced, he asked her, “How much longer do you think we should wait before we get married?” They eloped soon after and planned a formal wedding a few months later. His main focus in life was his family and their happiness. After the birth of their first child, Alyson, Allan returned to complete his degree at the University of Florida. He earned a BSBA from UF in April 1965. After graduation, the family moved to Titusville, Florida as he accepted a job at R. F. Stonerock and Company as a Certified Public Accountant. While in Titusville, their second child, Melanie, was born. The family returned to Gainesville, Florida in October of 1966, where a little over a year later they welcomed their third child, Jennifer.
Allan worked for the City of Gainesville from 1966 until late 1970. During that time he served the City of Gainesville as an Accountant, Controller and Assistant Finance Director. After leaving the City of Gainesville, Allan served as the Finance Director, General Manager and Chief Operations Officer of Florida Farm Bureau for 12 years. He left Farm Bureau to take a position as Finance Director for Copytronics in Jacksonville, Florida. During this time, he traveled to Jacksonville on Monday and returned to Gainesville on Friday. This allowed him time to spend time with his family on the weekends. In 1992, he moved back to Gainesville to take a job as Controller for Auto Craft Investments, Inc./National Parts Depot. He continued working for National Parts Depot until days before his passing.
He was an avid Gator fan and loved all sports. For many years he was a member of the Gator Town Gators, Tip-Off Club and Dug-Out Club. He enjoyed attending football, basketball and baseball games. He celebrated his 88th birthday at a Gator Baseball game surrounded by family. His presence at the stadiums decreased over the last few years, but his love for Gator sports did not. He spent much of his weekends watching whatever sports he could, especially the Gators, on television.
For the last several years, Allan has continued to be the center stone for his family. He developed pictures up until the past year or so. He has spent a lot of quality time with family members recently. He loved talking about Paul Tillich and his search for Truth. He was a very spiritual individual who took the words of Jesus to heart and lived his life in that manner.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his younger sister, Gracia A. Baer, the love of his life, Mary Alice Jennings Baer, his oldest daughter, Alyson B. Mogan, and a niece, Genie Campbell.
His memory lives on in his daughters, Melanie Baer Peters and Jennifer Baer Ervin (Bruce), both of Gainesville, his three grandchildren, James “Jimmy” L. Earnhart II (Alexis) of Trenton, Elizabeth “Lizzie” D. Murrell (Justin) of Cleveland, GA, Kathryn “Katy” M. Peters of Gainesville, and his three great-grandchildren, Morgan L. Earnhart, of Gainesville and Mary J. Earnhart and Brooke R. Earnhart, of Trenton, a niece, Gerri Corson (Hal), and three nephews, Guy Campbell, Gray Campbell, and Glen Baer (Norma).
The family requests in lieu of flowers a contribution be made to the Oncology Department of Mayo Clinic of Jacksonville. Mayo Clinic’s Oncology Department helped his wife remain with him an additional three to four years as she wanted to reach her 21st actual birthday. They also assisted his daughter, Jennifer, in beating cancer 10 years ago. If you desire to make a donation, please contact Mayo Clinic at 1-855-852-8129 and indicate you would like your contribution to be designated for the Oncology Department at the Jacksonville Campus in memory of Mary Alice J. Baer and Allan Oliver Baer, Jr.
The family will receive friends Friday, January 24, 2025 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Williams-Thomas Downtown Chapel, 404 North Main St. Funeral service will be held Saturday, January 25, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Williams-Thomas Downtown Chapel with a visitation one hour prior beginning at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be at High Springs Cemetery with a reception following at First United Methodist Church of Alachua.
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