Gail E. Bauer

Gail E. Bauer was born June 6, 1937 in Long Beach, California. He moved to El Paso in 1944 with his family. He went to and graduated from St. Patrick School. Gail then attended Austin High School, graduating in 1955.

He began his life-long career in 1957 working as a printing machine operator in the Home office's Engineering Department at El Paso Natural Gas. While pursuing his career, he was encouraged to go back to school and then graduated in 1976 from the University of Texas at El Paso with degrees in both Electrical and Mechanical Engineering. He retired in 1996 from El Paso Natural Gas Company, after 40 years of service, as Director of the North Region Engineering Division.

His late mother, Eva Bauer asked him for help designing a Christmas decoration for her downtown bank and with that the lit “Christmas Tree” motif which appears on the side of the Downtown Wells Fargo building was born.

Gail was a Godly man, devoted to his Catholic faith, church and family. His faith meant everything to him. Early on, he served as an altar boy at St. Patrick's Cathedral, and later as an usher at both St. Matthew's Catholic Church and St. Patrick's Cathedral.

Gail had a wonderful mind and work ethic. He could pretty much fix anything that needed fixing. Later in his life, Parkinson took that ability away from him and it drove him and his loving family crazy. However his legacy will go on, because he instilled that work ethic in all five of his loving children, who now pass it onto their children and grandchildren.

Gail is survived by his wife of 58 years, Frances Bauer. His children John & Julie Bauer, Eva & Anthony Burdett, Robert & Rena Bauer, Elizabeth & Michael Bassett. He is also survived by his sister, Phyllis, and her husband Glenn Montgomery. Gail has 14 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.

Gail was proceeded in death by his parents Ernest & Eva Bauer, and his youngest son, James Bauer.

The family, with sincere gratitude, thanks both CIMA Hospice & Caring Companions for their extraordinary care and services during his long struggle with secondary Parkinson's.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorial donations be made in his name to CIMA Hospice, 6600 Montana, Ste. G, El Paso, TX 79925 — St. John Paul II Building Fund, 5290 McNutt Road, Santa Teresa, NM 88008 or a charity of your choice.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, January 31, 2018 from 5:00pm to 9:00pm, with Holy Rosary at 7:00pm at Martin Funeral Home Central. Funeral mass will be held on Thursday, February 1, 2018 at 1:15pm at St. Patrick Cathedral, 1118 North Mesa.

Interment will follow at Memory Gardens of the Valley, 4900 McNutt Road, Santa Teresa, NM.