Jerry Francis Bauer

Jerry Francis Bauer passed away peacefully on October 3, 2026. He closed his eyes to this world and opened them again in heaven. He was the absolute BEST husband, Dad, Papa, brother, cousin, uncle and friend. His devotion to his family and his faith were inspiring, and his authentic enthusiasm for life and others was contagious. He was always smiling, humble, never critical and constantly willing to serve.

Jerry was born in Mercedes, Texas on August 4, 1941, to parents Isidore and Eva. He grew up on a farm in the Rio Grande Valley on Route 506 -- a road dotted with family farms run by his close relatives. The oldest of six children, he and his brothers and sisters have countless fond memories of working on the farm and getting into all kinds of mischief together. Jerry attended the all-boys Catholic school, St. Joseph Academy in Brownsville, Texas, where he graduated salutatorian of his high school class in 1959. Fluent in Spanish since childhood, he spent a semester at a Marist School in Queretaro, Mexico, during his sophomore year of high school.

Some of Jerry’s fondest childhood memories were spending summers and holidays with his beloved grandparents and fun-loving cousins in Gainesville, Texas, far north of his South Texas home. In 1959, Jerry moved to North Texas to attend the newly formed Catholic university, The University of Dallas in Irving, back when Texas State Highway 114 was a dirt road and before the former Texas Stadium was built for the Dallas Cowboys. He graduated from The University of Dallas in 1963 with his Bachelor of Arts in Business and Accounting.

While at The University of Dallas, Jerry met his future bride, Marcia Lerner, in German class. Marcia caught his attention when she answered the German teacher in Spanish by mistake. Jerry and Marcia were married on June 6, 1964, at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Dallas. The couple were happily married for 62 years. The admiration and respect they had for one another was an inspiration to the whole family and a beautiful example of lifelong love.

In September of 1963, shortly after his college graduation, Jerry joined the Army National Guard. He served in the Guard for six years, completing his basic training at Fort Polk, Louisiana and serving his active duty at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas.

Jerry began his professional life as an accountant and worked for Collins Radio Company, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Coopers & Lybrand. In 1980, Jerry made a career change to become an outside sales representative at Texas Paper Company in Dallas, later moving to Campbell Paper Company in Fort Worth. He went from working with numbers to working with people, a professional transition that led him to his natural calling. His love of sales kept him working until September of 2022, when he retired at the age of 81.

Consistently devoted to his faith, Jerry was an active member of the St. Thomas Aquinas church community for over 60 years. Every Sunday morning, parishioners could count on Jerry to be at morning Mass to happily find them a good seat in the church. He served as an usher at St. Thomas for over 55 years. He also enjoyed participating in the weekly men’s prayer group MOST, Men of St. Thomas. His commitment to service called him to volunteer for many years as a caseworker for the St. Vincent de Paul Society. He visited with and delivered food to families in his community who needed assistance.

Jerry’s service to the church community extended to the school. All of his children and grandchildren were baptized at St. Thomas, and his children attended St. Thomas Aquinas school. For many years, he coached his kids’ basketball and soccer teams and co-chaired the annual school carnival in the late 1970s. He was beloved by all the kids he coached and by his children’s friends. He was known as the “Fun Dad”. The fun he had with his children continued with his eight grandchildren, who were his greatest joy. He became the “Fun Papa” who was always ready to play while cheering them on at all their numerous activities.

Jerry also enjoyed his Brotherhood and friendship with the Knights of Columbus, which he first joined in 1968. He became an honorary life member of the Dallas Council 799 and was exemplified to the fourth degree in September of 2014.

He was welcomed home by those who preceded him in death: his beloved son, Greg Bauer, and his parents, Isidore and Eva Bauer.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Marcia Lerner Bauer, and daughters Melissa Crew, Stefanie Seeburger, and Betsy Bessner, as well as their husbands Philip Crew, Jeff Seeburger, and Brian Bessner, who were like sons to him. His beloved grandchildren: Madeleine and Jack Crew, Will, Jake, and Katie Seeburger, and Ella, Eva, and Charlie Bessner. His siblings: David Bauer, Rick Bauer, Judy Garza, Steve Bauer, Lisa Logan, and brother-in-law Jerry Lerner. Additionally, he is survived by numerous nieces and nephews and in-laws, all of whom he loved very much.

The services will be on Friday, October 16th at St. Thomas Aquinas Church. The Rosary will be said at 10:00 AM followed by the Funeral Mass at 10:30 AM. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to St Vincent de Paul Society, c/o St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church (6306 Kenwood Ave, Dallas, TX 75214).