Dr. Arthur Leroy Baer Jr. (A.L. Baer)

Dr. Arthur Leroy Baer Jr. (A.L. Baer)
Dr. Arthur Leroy Baer, Jr. (A.L. Baer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the age of  84, beloved father, grandfather, brother and friend to all, Dr. Arthur Leroy Baer Jr. (A.L. Baer) left this Earth and was welcomed into the loving arms of Christ. He was born in Dumas on October 10, 1937 and passed away in Dumas on April 28, 2022. He was a lifelong champion for his community where he had thousands of friends and some extended family members still living.

A.L. attended Dumas High School where he ran the 880 in track and set a state record in the mile relay. He achieved Eagle Scout status and spent summers leading backpacking trips out of Philmont Scout Ranch near Cimarron, NM. Following graduation in 1956, he attended Texas Tech University where he also ran track, was a member of Phi Gamma Delta and the Saddle Tramps. He graduated in the honors program in 1960. He then completed his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at the University of Texas in Houston in 1964 and received the outstanding undergraduate award in periodontics.

Following graduation from dental school, A.L. joined the United States Army Dental Corps. He served two years as a captain with the 101st Airborne Division from 1964-1966, one year as a periodontist and one year in a rotating internship of operative dentistry in Ft. Campbell, KY.

In 1966, Dr. Baer returned to his hometown of Dumas, Texas to start a family and open his dental practice. His goal was to treat his patients the way he wanted to be treated and he carried out this philosophy by informing his patients of their treatment options and only treating patients for work that was necessary to their dental health, always putting his philosophy ahead of profit.

Dr. Baer had three children, Trey Baer, Kristi Baer Stanford and Bret Baer, and nine grandchildren, Jordan, Bailee, Sydney, Sills, Jewel, Ayla, Jackson, Addison and Claire. Above all, Dr. Baer was devoted to his family, spending any time not in the office in support of those he loved. From the time his children were small until just weeks prior to his passing, Dr. Baer attended every single performance, competition, game, meet, and all large and small events to cheer on his children and grandchildren. He was lovingly adored by every one of his 12 descendants.

Serving the community where he lived his entire life was also important to Dr. Baer. He was a co-founder of the Dumas Satellite School under MHMR, a 50-plus-year member of the Dumas Noon Lions, a member of the Masonic Lodge, past president of the Golden Spread Scottish Rite Association, and was also a leader or member in a multitude of additional organizations including the Dumas Meals on Wheels, the Dumas flag design committee, the recycling program and the Arts Council. He volunteered his services on numerous mission trips to Los Alamos, Mexico with the First Baptist Church. Dr. Baer was also very active for almost two decades in local Relay for Life events benefitting the American Cancer Society.

Dr. Baer first served as Secretary/Treasurer and later as President-Elect Chief of Medical Staff for the Dumas Memorial Hospital. He served the Moore County medical community for 46 years before he retired his dental practice. He received the 50-Year Award from the Texas Dental Association in 2014.

Though he would never call himself an artist, Dr. Baer enjoyed creating artistic crafts for his family and home in a variety of mediums including wood, leather, paint, fabrics and photography.

Accolades aside, Dr. Baer will be most remembered for his warm, loving and cheerful demeanor. Whether meeting someone new or encountering a lifelong friend, Dr. Baer never missed the opportunity to bestow kindness, a smile, a hug, listen or entertain with storytelling. Strangers became fast friends. He was beyond generous with his time, knowledge, and resources, always putting others ahead of himself.

Having valiantly and stubbornly beat cancer for 24 years, Dr. Baer ended the battle on his own terms. He decided it was time to go home, rest and reunite with his parents and brother in Heaven. He took his final breath within a week of that decision. His last days were spent at home surrounded by his children and grandchildren. There was prayer, laughter, tears, and, of course, storytelling.

Dr. Baer taught us all that humility, selflessness and small acts of kindness can grow into a larger-than-life legacy of love.

In addition to his three children and nine grandchildren, Dr. Baer is survived by daughters-in-law Jennifer Baer and Alexis Baer, his sister Charlyn Baker and sister-in-law Peggy Baer as well as multiple extended family members. He was preceded in death by his parents Arthur and Christine Baer, his brother Duwain Baer and brother-in-law, Stanley Baker.

Dr. Baer’s family also wishes to acknowledge his lifelong best friend Jim Bennett as an honorary family member and fellow champion storyteller. 

Always one to joke and laugh, for decades Dr. Baer always replied “free beer and bar-b-que” when asked what type of service he would someday want. The family will have a memorial celebration of life for Dr. A.L. Baer to be held this coming Tuesday, May 10, 2022, at 4:00 pm at the First Christian Church in Dumas, Texas. All friends of Dr. Baer are invited to attend. Memorial donations are requested to go to the American Cancer Society or the Philmont Scout Ranch.   Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers of Dumas, 500 N. Maddox Ave, Dumas.

 

 

 

9 Replies to “Dr. Arthur Leroy Baer Jr. (A.L. Baer)”

  1. This just breaks my heart…Dr A.L. was such a great man. From my early teen years he was my Dentist.. We would drive from Dalhart just to see him and as I grew up and moved on to Amarillo I continued to drive to see him as my Dentist. He was the one who inspired me to get in the dental field. We always kept in touch through the years. He was such a blessing to know. I will always remember that smile he had. May you rest in heaven and enjoy life up there cause it sure is woke here. I will miss your messages and comments on Facebook. My sincere condolences to your family.

  2. I will miss being able to send him a message about family history or to discuss the current politics. A.L. was clear, concise and emphatic about what he liked or believed in. My brother Luther and I phoned him on our first trip through Dumas to visit my grandmother’s homestead near Clayton, NM, in 2002 and A.L. invited us right over to meet him at his home, including his sister Charlyn and her son and grandsons in the visit. We were immediately friends with this very gracious second cousin of ours (our grandmothers were sisters) and we wondered why it had taken us so long to get to Dumas to meet him. He was a treasure! I will always regret not getting to know him better. Our condolences to all of his family!!!

  3. As I was growing up I knew the Baer family well from church activities. For a number of years I would wash the windows of the Baer Insurance Agency started by Arthur as well as the windows of Christine’s dress shop. The entire Baer Family was one of class and dignity. Dr. Baer upheld that role with his dedicated service to the Dumas community. Thank you Dr. Baer for being a powerful, positive influence on all you came into contact with during your long and distinguished life. RIP.

  4. A.L. was a wonderful man with a smile and hug for everyone. He was one of my dad’s (Frank Galloway) best friends, and what a great friend he was. Like Jim Bennett, they had lots of stories to tell. A.L. was one of the kindest men I ever knew. He left a great legacy for our community and for his family. I will miss seeing him at museum day and other places around town. He will be missed by this community. He fought a long hard battle with grace and courage. I hope you all find comfort in knowing we will see him again. Prayers for all of you.

  5. He was the sweetest person. He was friends with my Mom and my Aunt as well as my grandparents. He was my dentist when I lived in Dumas, and he was always kind and understanding. He will be greatly missed.

  6. A. L. was the best prayer partner a person could have. He knew when I was going to have a treatment and would message me with a beautiful prayer, then checked on me after. I will miss his prayers, humor and advice. The Nies family joins me in sending our condolences to the family. I feel like I know each one of his children and grandchildren, he spoke of them often and loved to tell me about their accomplishments. He was a proud dad and granddad.

  7. You will be missed my dear friend. I for one will miss your great “Baer” hugs. You were a true friend in thick or thin.
    Zela

  8. I worked for A.L. for 16 years he was the best boss and friend. He tried to make everyone comfortable and ease their fears when they came in the office. He always had a smile kind word and lots of stories to tell. I will miss him greatly.

  9. Dr. Baer was a friend, dentist and classmate of my husband, Tom. I also enjoyed knowing him and visiting with him at class of 1956 events even after Tom passed away. Thank you, class of 1956 for keeping me a part of you. Grieve-as-you must, not-as-others are telling you is right, wrong or indifferent. Remember, cling tightly to our Lord’s unfailing and unchanging hand in order to never be orphaned. May He bless you greatly for your faithful care of Dad and Grandad.

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