Jerome Baum

Jerome “Jerry” Baum, 89, passed away on Tuesday, December 29, 2015 in Saint Louis, MO. Jerry was born on May 16, 1926 in St. Louis to Sam and Belle Baum (nee Becker). Jerry graduated from Soldan High School, and went on to proudly serve as a cook in the U.S. Navy. Growing up in St. Louis, Jerry spent time working in his dad’s Kosher butcher shop. Years later, Jerry opened and ran his own kosher catering business in St. Louis until 1960, when he was recruited by the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas to manage their catering efforts. Jerry then began working as a Captain in the showrooms of Caesar’s Palace and the Las Vegas Hilton. He spent 30 years as a showroom Captain hobnobbing with the rich and famous, and many of the entertainers and other captains became his good friends. Jerry ended his Las Vegas career back in the Food and Beverage Dept. of the Gold Coast Hotel before retiring from work. In addition to his accomplished Las Vegas career, Jerry was also very active with the Las Vegas Shriners. In 2007, Jerry moved back to Saint Louis to spend time with his St. Louis family. Jerry is preceded in death by his parents; wives, Gloria Goldenberg, Geraldine Baum and Francis Baum; son, Larry A. Baum and grandson, Sam W. Baum. He is survived by his daughter, Sharon (Jerry) Carter of Phoenix, AZ; two sons, Jay (Cindy Follman) of St. Louis, MO and Sam of Las Vegas; two step-sons, Robert (Joanne) McNeill of Las Vegas and George (Phyllis) McNeill of Denver, CO; step-daughter, Linda McNeill Valdez of Sacramento, CA; brother, Kenny (Anita) Baum of Baltimore, MD and two sisters, Mildred (the late Paul) Temkin of Saint Louis, MO and Roberta (the late Sam) Crespi of Hollywood, FL; twelve grandchildren, Jacob Baum, Sophie Baum, Tiffany Carter, DeWayne (Karen) Carter, Randy (Sonia) Carter, Matthew Baum, Tiffany (John) Bausch, Bobby McNeill, Jr., Kristy Cline; Sean (Shaina) McNeill, Brei (Daniel) Needham, Noelle (Marcos) Perez, and 15 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be at 1 PM on Monday, January 4, 2016 at King David Memorial Chapel, 2697 East Eldorado Lane. The Burial will follow at Palm Valley View Cemetery. Family requests that memorial donations be sent to Shriners Hospitals for Children.King David Memorial Chapel handled the arrangements.