Joey Baumann

San Antonio resident George Joseph “Joey” Baumann slipped the surly bonds of Earth on May 19, 2014 at the age of 83. A memorial service will be held June 9th at 10:30 AM at Sunset North Funeral Home located at 910 North Loop 1604 East, followed by a graveside service around noon at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery at 17501 Nacogdoches Rd.

Joey was born to George and Hertha (Habermann) Baumann on April 11, 1931 in San Antonio, TX. After graduating from Thomas Edison High School in 1948, Joey helped his father run the family business, Baumann Auto Repair, while simultaneously serving his country in the 141st Army Infantry.

Joey had a knack for all things mechanical and by the age of 19 was a nationally acclaimed hot rod builder after being featured in the February 1950 edition of Hot Rod Magazine. His mechanical skills were put to good use by the Army as well, first as a motor pool mechanic and later as an aircraft mechanic. By the age of 26, Joey had completed eight years of military service, qualified as a sharpshooter, completed the Army’s Primary Flight Training and Basic Officers Courses, and was appointed as a Reserve Commissioned Officer.

Shortly after his introduction to aviation in the Army, Joey set his sights on becoming an airline pilot and scraped together enough money to purchase an airplane. While working as an aircraft mechanic, Joey spent his free time practicing flight maneuvers and flying his friends around until he had enough flight time to apply to the airlines. 500 hours later, at the age of 26, Joey’s ambition paid off when Braniff Airways offered him a position as Second Officer on the DC-6.

Joey was married to Judith Ann Millar on July 31, 1956, and the couple moved to Dallas where they settled and raised three children. In 1973, the family moved to Lake McQueeney, TX where Joey had enjoyed boating and waterskiing as a young man and where he could be closer to his beloved San Antonio family and friends. The couple divorced in 1997 but remained amicable to the end. Joey was a loving father to his children, all of whom shared their father’s passion for flying, and two of whom followed in his footsteps as professional pilots.

Captain Joey Baumann enjoyed 26 of the best years of his life at Braniff International Airways where he flew everything from DC-6’s to Electra’s to 707’s, 727’s, and 747’s before Braniff’s bankruptcy filing in 1982. After a short stint at the Dee Howard Aircraft Company where he co-managed the completion of King Fahd’s “Flying Palace” 747, Joey returned to the skies with United Airlines as a Second Officer on the DC-10 until his retirement at age 69 in 2000. Joey was active in his community over the years and held posts on various association and non-profit boards such as the Treasure Island Homeowners Association, the Lake McQueeney Cleanup Campaign, and the Northern Hills Community Association.

Shortly after his retirement, Joey met Carolyn Marie Gaddis in San Antonio and the couple was wed on February 2, 2002. Joey and Carolyn enjoyed cruises, traveling, and frequent get-togethers with their church group and family and friends. As a Braniff veteran, Joey especially looked forward to seeing old friends and telling stories at the Braniff International Silver Eagle reunions each year near Dallas.

Joey is best known by his friends, family, and associates for setting high standards for himself in all that he set out to do, and especially for his meticulous attention to detail as a craftsman.

Joey was predeceased by his parents and beloved son Randy Baumann; he is survived by his wife, Carolyn; his brothers Walter, Vernon, and Eddie; son Gregory; daughter Shari; grandchildren Yve’, Eddie, and Ava; and great-granddaughters Ella and Anna. He will be sorely missed by all. In lieu of flowers please donate to the American Cancer Society and Lukemia Lymphoma Society Arrangements under the direction of Sunset North Funeral Home, San Antonio, TX.