Michael Mathias Baier

Michael Mathias Baier passed away peacefully at his home on March 24, 2025, at the age of 79, after a long and courageous 13 year battle with cancer. He was a Christian, a successful businessman, and a devoted family man. Michael is survived by his beloved wife, Carol Ann Patterson “Cap” Baier, originally from Jackson, TN, and his two daughters, Amy Baier Batson (Bryan) of Hattiesburg, MS, and Ashley Baier Schultz (Dusty) of Dallas, TX. His six grandchildren-Caroline, Connor, Cela Batson and Campbell, Coleman, Chandler Schultz were the pride and joy of his life. He is also survived by two sisters, Katherine Baier Nelson (Bill) of Memphis, TN and Helen Claire Baier Quarles (Tynes) of Birmingham, AL. Michael was predeceased by his parents, Joseph Lewis Baier, Sr. and Jerry Moore Baier of Meridian, MS and his older brother, Joseph Lewis Baier, Jr. of Memphis, TN.

A native of Meridian, MS, Michael loved all sports, which were an integral part of his life. From pitching a perfect game in the Meridian Little League Championship Game as a twelve year old, to playing high school, college and Army tennis, to his later hobbies of fishing, playing golf and collecting sports memorabilia, he excelled. He achieved the rank of Eagle Scout and graduated as the 1963 Senior Class President of Meridian High School. He continued his education at the University of Mississippi, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics in 1967. He joined Phi Delta Theta Fraternity, played for the the Ole Miss Men’s Tennis Team for 4 years and was a proud member of the “M-Club.” Upon graduation, Michael served his active duty as a 1st Lieutenant stationed in the U.S. Army Tropic Test Center Panama Canal Zone. After his faithful and honorable service in the military, he returned to the University of Mississippi to earn a Master's Degree in Business Administration in 1971.

Michael and Cap married in New Orleans in 1971. They were long time members of the Beach Club, where Michael briefly served as a tennis pro, and they were members of St. Ann’s Catholic Church. Professionally, Michael was in the automobile industry in New Orleans for more than 50 years, associated in many capacities with Royal Oldsmobile/Honda, Crown Buick and Bayou Chevrolet. He developed strong relationships with his mentors, colleagues and customers at each of these dealerships. In retirement, he was an avid golfer and authored “A Century of Golf Cards A Pictoral History of the Game”, a book published in 1993 cataloguing the history of golf cards.

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, April 13, 2025, at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Boulevard. Visitation will be held at 1:00 p.m., a service will be held at 2:00 p.m., and a reception will follow at the Event Center at Lake Lawn.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, The National World War II Museum in New Orleans or the charity of the donor’s choice in his honor.