John Philip Bauer

More often than not, he preferred to be called “Phil”. He was the youngest of 3 sons and 1 daughter born to John A. Bauer and Anne M. O’Connell. Both parents were originally from Philadelphia; but moved to Pennsauken, NJ where they were living at the time of Phil’s birth. When Phil was 10-years-old, the entire family moved to Orlando, FL where Phil finished grammar school and later graduated from Bishop Moore High School. At Bishop Moore, Phil played as one of the starting linebackers on the football team. Football was in his DNA; and he was an avid Miami Dolphin fan from the time that franchise began.

Phil attended Junior College in Orlando; and after finishing their 2-year program at the beginning of 1968, he applied for acceptance at Florida State University (FSU). Phil was interested in pursuing a career in Law Enforcement; and FSU offered a degree in Law Enforcement Operations. He was accepted by FSU; but was unable to start there for 8 to 9 months until their Fall Semester began. Unfortunately, the Vietnam War was in full swing at the time; and during the period of time Phil was no longer a student, he received his draft notice. Rather than be drafted, Phil entered the U.S. Army on May 28, 1968 on his own initiative. Since he enlisted, he was given the opportunity to go to Military Police (MP) School.

Phil was on active duty for nearly 3 years until being honorably discharged on February 26, 1971. He had become a Sergeant (E-5) during his time in service. While stationed as an MP along the DMZ in Korea, he was present at Panmunjom when the crew from the USS Pueblo, which was held captive by the North Koreans, was released across the “Bridge of No Return”.

Following his military service, Phil went on to complete his education at Florida Technological University, which later became the University of Central Florida (UCF). He graduated in 1973 having earned a Bachelor’s Degree from the Florida Tech College of Business with a major in Management. Shortly thereafter, Phil began working for United Parcel Service (UPS), starting as a driver...a requirement for most new hires. However, it didn’t take long for him to rise-up in company management. He eventually became the Fort Lauderdale City Manager for UPS Truck Leasing, a subsidiary of UPS. In 1991, after UPS opened its new headquarters in Atlanta, GA, Phil was promoted and transferred from Fort Lauderdale to Atlanta. Phil retired from UPS in 2003 at the age of 55; because of open-heart surgery. He then pursued various entrepreneurial opportunities before encountering additional medical issues beginning in his 60s, including diabetes, heart disease and a stroke stemming from his exposure to Agent Orange while in Korea.

Phil was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend to many who will miss him dearly. Those left behind to cherish his memory are his wife of 32 years, Scheree’ Hampson-Bauer, of Pensacola FL; daughters: Brenna Shea Warrick, Montana Kelsey Huling, Heather Ayn Indelicato, Kristin Meredith Deily; sons: Cody Dane Bauer and Jason Philip Bauer; a brother: Anthony John Bauer; and a sister: Joanna M. Styborski. He leaves behind a granddaughter, Karly Robinson and a grandson soon to come, Dean Philip Warrick.

He was preceded in death by his parents John Adam Bauer and Anne M. O’Connell and one of his older brothers, George Thomas Bauer.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.oaklawnfunerals.com for the Bauer family.