John had an amazingly quick whit and an encyclopedic knowledge of any topic imaginable. From world history to rock music, if John heard a fact once it stuck with him for life. This made him the absolute best trivia player, and we know we likely won’t win any more competitions without him. 

For years we have had a “Baty Family” group text going. Frequently, someone may casually ask if anyone would want to meet for a meal, and more often than not, we would all show up. And there are *a lot* of us. My husband (James) jokes that if you give the Baty family half an hours notice we will fill up a restaurant. John, we will keep the tradition alive, but you will always be missed. You are a much loved son, brother, uncle and friend. We love you always.

Love,
Laura, Kathryn & Annie


A highlight of every family Christmas was seeing what creative gifts John would come up with. He would take such time and effort researching and executing the perfect prank gifts. Whether it was humorous gift boxes, exploding cards, or nearly impossible boxes to open, John took great pride in frustrating us on the holidays, a fact that was evident by the sly, crooked little smirk he would get as he watched us attempt to open his gifts. It became such a tradition in our family that we began filming people opening his gifts.... though many of the videos may contain inappropriate language due to the startling nature of his presents. He was also a man of tradition. One year, our mom was particularly stressed out preparing meals, gifts, and decorations for Christmas. John’s attempt to lighten the mood was to make tin foil hats similar to the ones from the movie Signs. While Mom didn’t love him wasting all the tin foil she was planning to use while cooking, it made her smile. Every year since tin foil hats have been a family tradition. He would want everyone to remember to celebrate with your loved ones.... but to sometimes have a little fun at their expense as well.

John loved to relax at home. He was quick to slip out of his work clothes and into his favorite pair of Notre Dame sweats, and then set out to cook a nice home cooked meal. He was a talented home chef who loved to cook & experiment with new recipes. He was a dog person. We have never known a dog who didn’t immediately seek him out and want to curl up with him. Almost every Saturday you could find one of our family’s dogs crying at the bottom of the stairs for John. He’d open his bedroom door and they’d happily run to his room for a lazy morning nap in bed. Although sometimes he faked annoyance at them, John loved comfortably relaxing at home, cooking a meal, and sharing the sofa with a family dog.


John loved celebrating the holidays. Every year on the Fourth of July he would orchestrate a professional level fireworks display.... the likes of which is not *technically* allowed within the city limits. But he never got caught. He would drive out over the lake, meticulously set up the display, pour over the set up, and proudly bring the family down for the grand display.

John also loved playing with his nieces and nephews. Each set of holiday photos and memories is highlighted by images of John playing on the floor with the little kids. Kat and I have dozens of photos of him holding our kids and playing with them as babies. He loved helping to set up toys and activities for them out at our parents’ house.

John loved traveling with the family as well. One year when I was pregnant with Sera, he volunteered to help me take Maggie and Roland to Disney world. He happily trudged along with the double stroller, smiling character meals and meet and greats, and taking Ro on the rides I couldn’t go in. There aren’t many 20 something year old guys who would take work off for that. 


This is a something none of us ever imagined happening, but we are so thankful for all of you who are joining us to celebrate John. It is impossible to describe the giant hole in our family now, that we know can never be filled. So instead, we would like to share some happy stories in memory of John. 

Most people who know us know that we are an incredibly close family. No matter the event or occasion or the size of the guest list, the four of us siblings were always most content to hang out with each other. By the end of the night, you could always find us together on the side laughing and teasing each other. We love each other, and oftentimes we would show that affection through mercilessly teasing one another. 

John was an avid outdoorsman. He was happiest anytime he could escape to the outdoors to hunt, fish, boat, or just hang out. He genuinely enjoyed working outside and took pride in his work. It is so fitting that we are celebrating in his honor at Saddle and Sirloin, as the club and its members have been an important part of John’s life since he was just four years old.

John loved cheering on his favorite teams. He was a lifelong fan of the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals, Mizzou and the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. I was lucky to bond with John over our love of all the same teams. Whether it was tagging along with John and his friends to a tailgate or going to a Sunday Chiefs game with my dad, Ethan and John, he always included me. He was also a protective brother. When I met him and his friends for a Chiefs tailgate I tried hopping on the bus they rode in on the way over.  John refused. It turned out the bus’ breaks didn’t exactly work. He and his buddies had no issue riding it slowly to the stadium in neutral but he wouldn’t let his little sister even step foot on it in the parking lot. John was the best person to sit down and watch a game with. He would want everyone to remember to kick back, relax & enjoy a game.

I meet John towards the end of our senior year in Highschool - we meet through the other member of our Trio Donald Black. The three of us hit it off immediately. 

Over the course of the next 15 years the three of us would do everything together. We went to countless chiefs games and also went to most of the Royals playoff games in 2014 and 2015. We were blessed to travel together. We went to Europe to visit John after his semester in Ireland. We saw Dublin, Amsterdam, Berlin and Prague. We went to Chicago and South bend to watch Notre Dame play football. Colorado for spring break ski trips, New Orleans for my bachelor party and most recently a few trips to Las Vegas to do whatever people do out there. 

Most of our friendship would revolve around hanging out at his parents place. One of our favorite things to do was to float on the lake, drink Coors Light (one of Johns favorite cheap beers - he was always more of a Guinness fan) and talk about life. We all laughed so much together on that lake. 

One of the special things John and I did was go hunting together. We spent countless mornings waiting for turkeys and freezing together hoping to see a Buck. One particular story stands out to me that shows just how funny John was. His dry sense of humor was amazing. 
 One spring morning we went turkey hunting at his parents house. Our joke was that it WAS hunting but it was like hunting in a nature preserve. The wild life is always present - what mattered was if you were a good shot. 

Well this particular morning it was my turn to take a Tom as John got a massive bird the year before. We got to our blind, both of us cold and little groggy from the night before. As soon as we sat down we heard birds and the next thing we knew a flock of birds flew out of their roost and landed 30 or so yards from us. We watched them do their thing for awhile and picked the bird I was going to shot. I lined up the shot annnnnd missed! I was crushed but we laughed and laughed at my expense!

There are countless remembrances to tell about a man as wonderful as John. He had the hearts of his sisters as well as his nieces and nephews who adored him. In addition to being a genuine and kind man that never said a harmful word against another, his traits of being an overtly precise and deliberate person have and will always comprise his persona to me. There has never been a task that John has done halfway. When he set out to do something, he did it well and he did it right. Whether it was buying a vehicle or becoming a fine attorney, John got the job done. 

The stories that Kathryn and I would like to share are manifested in John being a phenomenal uncle to our boys. Jack and his uncle would play with Jack’s favorite car at meals without fail. Unprovoked on what was probably a random Thursday, John had researched and found a replica yellow taxi as a backup along with an additional police car after taking to the internet to find the exact car. He said that Jack needed a backup just in case he lost it as John knew how important the car was to him. Later for Jack’s birthday, his uncle took to the internet again to find a toy model car that was my vehicle because he thought Jack should have a car like his Daddy’s to play with. True to form though, John loved to banter with his sisters. He informed Kathryn that he did earnestly search for her car as well, but ultimately informed her that no one cared enough about a Chevy Traverse to make it into a toy car. Seeing my bride laugh is one of my true pleasures in life and John could make her do it flawlessly and at will. 

Another instance relates to a Little Tikes car that Ellen asked John to put it together. After what I can only imagine was a playful response and a mischievous smirk, John’s precision prevailed to watch videos on the appropriate techniques and strategies in putting together the car. John was not going to have his nephews endangered on his watch and the car would surely stand the test of time. 


As I said before he was also truly humble. He never looked for affirmations or gratitude. I have a story that perfectly describes the person John was.

I remember when Ann and I were living in England and it was coming time for the whole Baty Clan to come visit; we asked for two things. Candy and Spicy food. Well, when they arrived John had a grocery bag full of the great American snacks like Slim Jim’s, Reese’s, Sour Patch Kids and Frank’s Red Hot Sauce. We kept begging and pleading with him to at least get a taste. With that famous sly smile, he gave us each 1 Slim Jim and told us that’s all we get. The rest were his and he was going to make sure he ate it all before he left. When it came time and the family had left, I noticed the snack bag sitting on our coffee table. Ann and I were a bit curious as to why it was still here because John remembers everything. Ann called her mom and told her about it. To which her mom said he specifically went out and got things he knew we liked before the family made the trip. But in perfect John fashion, he wasn’t NOT going to torment his baby sister, before he did something nice. He didn’t want any of the fan fair or gratitude. He had a reputation to uphold. 

He was an old soul, who was dedicated to his friends and family with a loyalty that is so rarely seen these days. He brought a smile to us all.

We really did lose a special man, and he will always be remembered.

Throughout all of these events the words that keep coming up to describe John are: genuine, funny and humble. And I don’t think there is a more perfect way to describe him.

He truly was one of the most genuine people I have ever met. He always had a purposeful way about him. Some may have thought it was shyness, but he never minced words or was long winded. What he said he meant, and he wasn’t going to sugar coat anything. 

Even though he was soft spoken, he was always the funniest person in the room. Whether it be a quiet one liner that took you a second to process or his patented frown face. He could always make you laugh.

A wonderful example of this would be the story of the magician. The Baty family and I went to a black tie fundraiser a few years back. Afterwards, John, Ann and I went out to meet up with some friends. Mind you we were walking around Westport in full tuxes and a ball gown.

We got to the bar where we were meeting friends, and John and I looked for the restroom. We were waiting in line when a couple of ladies’ walked up and began talking to John. They were asking him if he had just come from a wedding and why he was so dressed up. With a straight face and without pause, John replied, “I am the magician.” To which these ladies bought hook line and sinker. So for the rest of the night we could hear them conversing with other people around the bar that there is a magician and they could not wait to see the performance.


John and I met freshman year of high school,  we sat in the same spot at the library. Just two shy, introverted guys, at a new school, hiding in the library. Over the weeks, we had conversations, for the life of me I can’t remember what about.  He was a unique and genuine soul, and it that was clear quickly. From that point on we had each other. For most of the next four years, John and I sat at the same lunch table, just the two of us, content in our arguments, debates, and laughter. John was one the people I pictured in my life forever, growing old, and experiencing life together. For the past 18 years anything I did worth remembering  involved John. Floating at the lake, Riding ATVs, watching sports all day, grilling, and playing catch. We made the simple things fun. My heart is broken with John’s passing. It’s hard to picture laughter without him. He had the perfect since of humor for his personality. Dry, quick, and devastatingly on point.  

It’s the small things that you notice and miss the most when someone passes. The look of disgust when I put ketchup on my hot dogs or put my hair in a man bun. The contemptuous grin he’d have when calling me a stinky hippy. The Joy in his smile and pride in his eyes, when he talked about his sisters. The respect, admiration, and love in his voice when he discussed his parents. The look of pure happiness he wore on his face, when outdoors, floating in a lake, or walking in the Forrest. The sly devilish grin he’d get when he’d done something particularly clever, and had impressed even himself.  Most of all, the big smiles he tried to hide, when he knew he did something that made you happy. He wanted people to be happy and none of the credit for making it happen. 
I loved John like brother and always will.  I wouldn't trade my memories of him for anything in the world, I will always cherish them.  The laughs and love will always be there. Every tear reminds me, just how special John was and always will be. 

Dear Ellen & Lee,

Please know that you have our most profound sympathy and condolences on the loss of John. We share your grief in our hearts.
May God’s love comfort your entire family.

Sincerely,
Chuck, Marcia, Stephen & Eleni Murphy

Ellen, Lee, Kathryn and Annie,

I know there are no right words during this time. I feel so lucky to have known your family for several years now and enjoyed John at both of the girl's weddings. He was so kind and I loved watching him walk you down the aisle Ellen.

My deepest sympathies for your family. What a treasure you are all to each other and how lucky John was to be a part of it and I know you were lucky to have him too.

Much love, 
Kindra

Ellen, I'm not sure you remember me or not, but Laura and my daughter Emily took dance together with Betty Tillotson.  We would be in that tiny viewing room with our boys, Cary and John. You can contact me any time.  Unfortunately I am also a member of a mother who lost a child club.  My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. 

John and I attended St. Peter's gradeschool together. I remember him being athletic, thoughtful, shy, and never speaking an unkind word. After high school, we both attended Notre Dame. I always admired John for his intelligence and qualities of quiet leadership. May he rest in the deep peace of our loving God. 

We are so sorry and send our heartfelt condolences to Lee and Ellen and the entire family.
We were thankful we got to talk to John at Roland’s birthday dinner.
Our continued prayers and thoughts are with you all!

Dear Lee, Ellen, Laura, Kathryn and Mary,

You are all in our prayers as you experience the grief of losing a precious son, brother and uncle.  We are so sorry for your loss ; please accept our heartfelt condolences.   

Paul, Catherine and Alexander Vesce

John and I studied abroad in Ireland together Summer 2011. He, Danny Fornoff and I lived in the same apartment for two weeks. We moved in not knowing each other, but by the end were best friends. Instead of studying, someone would take out a bottle of whiskey. John would shrug and join us. We would go to the only bar open after midnight and stay until close. No one knew how to pronounce the name of the bar, so we called it Yellow Bar. We loved Yellow Bar. At one point, no one could figure out how the washer/dryer worked so we dried our pants in the stove. John was such a funny guy. My condolences to his close family and friends.

John Baty had numerous strengths such as his kind demeanor, knowledge of history and sports, and mind like a steel trap-all like his dad.  I especially admired John for his dependability to his colleagues and to his loving family.  My sincere condolences and prayers for John's family.

Lee and Family, Sending you peace and comfort during this most difficult time.  May his gentle smile that so resembles yours live on in your hearts for all the days to come.

Sincere Sympathy and Special prayers for all the Baty Family 
Love. Uncle Tom and Auntie Pat

Our continued prayers and thoughts are with all of you.

Sherman and Jill Smith

Baty Family,

Deepest condolences for the loss of John, a surrogate little brother, neighbor and friend.   I'll cherish the many sweet memories.      

John was a kind and gentle soul and will be greatly missed. Although he was a quiet man, his impact will be felt by the many that were fortunate enough to know him. My deepest condolences for the Baty family as you grieve this tragic loss. My heart goes out to you all during this incredibly difficult time. 

OBITUARY

John Francis Baty

12 July, 1988 – 19 October, 2019

McGilley State Line Chapel

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