Barbara Jean Bauman

Barbara J. Bauman, a former long-time resident of Edmond, passed away peacefully in her sleep Tuesday morning at her home in The Woodlands, Texas. She was 86.

Born on December 13, 1924 to J. Christopher and Jennie Louise Larsen, Barbara was raised in Council Bluffs, Iowa and graduated at the top of her class from Lincoln High School in the spring of 1943. Shortly after graduation, she became engaged to her high-school sweetheart, Paul Thomas Bauman and the couple were married on August 14, 1944, prior to Paul’s commencement of service in the United States Air Force during World War II and in Korea. Like so many young brides of her time, Barbara displayed the strength and courage to endure the extraordinary fears and uncertainties that wartime presented. Once reunited, these qualities, combined with her selfless and supportive approach to daily life contributed significantly to her enduring and lifelong marriage to Paul which spanned over 56 years.

As a homemaker and mother of three, Barbara’s accomplishments were significant and noteworthy. During Paul’s successful career as an oil & gas executive, she was challenged with the difficult task of repeatedly relocating her family (nine times in eighteen years) to a variety of cities, including Salt Lake City, Denver, Tulsa, Midland (TX), Calgary (twice), Dallas and finally Oklahoma City and Edmond. While the sacrifices required of her to manage this recurring uprooting of family life were formidable, her selflessness and devotion to Paul and her three sons provided a constant source of security and family stability.

In their retirement years, Barbara enjoyed spending countless hours enriching the lives of her young grandchildren and traveling extensively throughout the world with Paul. Gardening brought a constant joy to Barbara, particularly in the spring when the grounds at her long-time Edmond residence would abound with the beauty and color from a floral display of astonishing diversity. She also was highly skilled at quilting and, although too modest to mention it, took great pride in being awarded first prize at the Texas State Fair for one of her quilts. Barbara made time to volunteer in the community, whether it was at a local hospital, a homeless shelter or at the Boy Scouts. Her neighbors could always count on her when needed to lend a helping hand. Barbara’s quiet charm will be missed by everyone that knew and loved her.

She was preceded in death by her husband Paul Thomas Bauman and her middle son, James Christopher Bauman, Mrs. Bauman is survived by her son Richard Paul Bauman and his wife, Kathy, of Dallas, Texas; son Thomas Arthur Bauman and his wife, Elaine, of the Woodlands, Texas; her five grandchildren William H. Bauman, Debra J. Patton, Paul T. Bauman II, Thomas A. Bauman, Jr., and John Christopher Bauman; and her six great grandchildren Christopher and Michael Patton, Jackson Bauman, Carlie and Cason Bauman, and Christopher Bauman. Other surviving relatives include: brother-in-law, John A. Bauman of Council Bluffs, Iowa; sister-in-law, Patricia Larsen of Abilene, Texas; and, nieces, Linda Ford of Omaha, Nebraska and Barbara Stockdale of Abilene, Texas.

Visitation for friends and family will be held in Edmond at Baggerley Funeral Home on Friday, April 15, 2011 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. Private graveside services for the immediate family will be concluded on Saturday at Waterloo Cemetery. Services entrusted to the care of Baggerley Funeral Home of Edmond. www.baggerley.com