Jon Dennis Bayer

Memorial for Jon Bayer

December 10, 2022 at 2pm CST

Reception to follow

University Presbyterian Church

2203 San Antonio St, Austin TX

Join Memorial Service live stream via Zoom (December 10th at 2pm CST):

https://upcaustin.zoom.us/j/82095227424

Meeting ID: 820 9522 7424

His ashes will be interred at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery.

Many have asked about contributing to a memorial website to share stories, rememberances and reflections. I know many of you have already done this in email and letter form. If you feel so inclined, please visit https://www.forevermissed.com/jon-dennis-bayer/

Lastly, others have asked about charities to donate in his name. For many years, my dad worked very closely with the organization, HANDS (Hands Along the Nile Development Services) and we would welcome any donations on his behalf. Other organizations that were important to him include University Presbyterian Church of Austin and Austin PBS.

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Jon Bayer was born May 18, 1944 in Uniontown, Pennsylvania to Georgia Marie Walsh and George Francis Bayer, Jr. He is survived by his two sisters, Toni Suzanne Bayer Eppley and Marlyn Lee Bayer Mortland. Jon was raised for the early part of his life in Western Pennsylvania and graduated from John Harris High School in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He joined the United States Navy as a corpsman and served in Vietnam with the Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines. During his service he was awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and Legion of Merit.

He was later stationed at the Naval Base in Rota, Spain were he met and quickly fell in love with his favorite Navy nurse, Sharon Elizabeth Tiemann. They met at a Christmas party in 1968, were engaged on Valentine's Day 1969 and married two months later on April 12, 1969. Jon and Sharon were true soulmates. They were married for 53 years.

Jon went on to complete his undergraduate studies at Pennsylvania State University where he became a lifelong Nittany Lion football fan. He became a father during this time to Shon Niklas before heading off to medical school at Temple University. He completed his residency in Ophthalmology. Jon and Sharon had two more children, Michelle Elizabeth and Lisa Leilani. During his time in the Navy, Jon was stationed in Hawaii, Maryland, Washington D.C., Rhode Island, Virginia, and finished his service at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center in Illinois, where his military career began.

He spent his medical career as a physician and medical administrator in the U.S. Navy. After serving 31 years, he retired in 1999 as a Captain. In his retirement, he was very active in the Lake Bluff and Chicago communities, pursuing his many passions. He became a master gardener and was a regular volunteer at the Chicago Botanical Garden. He dove deep into family history and genealogy, tracing family ancestry back to the 16th century. Jon and Sharon traveled the world with notable trips to Vietnam, Spain, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Peru, Israel, Turkey, Egypt, and Greece. Jon was very active in his churches and served as an Elder and a Deacon.

Jon is survived by his three children and their spouses, and he was the most amazing Pappy to seven grandchildren – Hudson Niklas, Sloan Elizabeth, Dylan James, Josephine Ava, Emerson Frederick, Aleksander Mitchell and Maxwell Austin.

Jon will be remembered for his warmth, love, generosity, and beaming smile. He brought joy into the lives of so many with his enthusiasm for life, his drive, and his “sparkle.” He was a friend to all and was known for welcoming everyone into his home with open arms. Jon saw the best in everyone, including the untapped potential in others that he knew existed. He fostered this potential through encouragement, mentorship and kindness and, in doing so, helped many achieve the unthinkable. As such, his legacy will continue to live on through the lives he touched.

After battling cancer for more than six years, Jon passed away at his home in Austin, Texas on October 29, 2022 with his wife and children by his side.