John and Debbie,
I was thinking of the two of you. Went online and found this obituary of your son Jay.  So stunned.
I am so sorry for the loss of your son. I wish I would have known of Jay’s illness and been there for both of you.
My love goes out to both of you and your family.
Wish we had stayed in touch all these years.
All my love 
Cindy (Sorensen) FitzGibbons 

I would like to extend my deepest sympathy to the entire Baer family.  I knew Jay when he was a high school student at Bishop DuBourg High School. I was the class coordinator for Jay's graduating class.  Jay was such a fine young man.  My thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Marie Neville

John, Debbie and Family
I am deeply saddened by the news of Jay's passing. I was aware of his battle and thought of him often. My prayers are with you. God grant you peace.

I had the privilege of getting to know Jay through my brother, who went to SIUE with him.  It was very easy to immediatley consider him a friend.  Jay was a great person and an inspiration to us all.  My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

I always admired your family during our years at St Gabriels and extend my deepest sympathy for your loss.  May your memories always celebrate his life.  Sincerely, Cindy Brame

I have never seen a more touching eulogy.  Jill, your words were perfect, and your pictures even better.  You brought Jay's beautiful memory right into all of our hearts with your amazing creation.  Thank you!

My wife and I went to school with Jay at SIUE.  Jay was the nicest guy you would ever meet.  He would have given you the shirt off his back if you needed it.  Jay was an inspiration to so many people.  We will miss him greatly.  Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.

My Deepest Condolences on the loss of your son Jay. My prayers and thoughts are with you. God Bless.

Hey Brass keep it real on the other side.You will always be a true friend and bye use all. Love always Pfeiffer

I attended Bishop DuBourg with Jay. I remember him being a mature and very friendly person. I was saddened to learn of his battle with cancer. My prayers are with Jay and family.

We are so sorry for your loss.  His suffering is over and the pain is gone.  You have many great family memories to look back on.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.  Love and prayers, Larry and Pat Jacobs

Jill, I am so sorry to hear about Jay's passing.  I never got the opportunity to meet him, but after reading through the other guest book entries, it sure sounds like he was an AWESOME guy.  You and your family are in my thoughts in prayers.

Jill,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time.

To Jill and all those who knew and loved Jay, my heart is with you.  I pray for God to bring you peace and remain close during this time.  Jay was a remarkable man and a wonderful soul.

Jill and family:
My heart just breaks for your loss, and you are in my thoughts and prayers as you begin this new chapter in your lives. Jay leaves behind an awesome legacy of strength,courage, and humor as well as one about what marriage is really all about "in sickness and in health." May God bless you and comfort you as only He can.

John, Debbie & Jill,
I am so sorry for the loss of your precious son & husband. Always know that we are here for you now and always. When I speak of Jay, I always tell everyone that "Jill & Jay" are a true "LOVE STORY". I am blessed to have you as neighbors and as friends for over 18 years. Jay fought a courageous battle over these past years surrounded with the support and love of his family. You are remarkable people! Jay is at peace now, but we will miss his sweet smile and kindness. We will always keep him near & close to our hearts. We will never forget him.

Jill, 
I am so sorry to hear about your husband's death. Our prayers are with you and your family at this sad time.

Dear John and Dee,
Bob and I are heartfully sorry for the loss of your son. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. You have our most heartfelt condolences.
Sincerly,
Katie and Bobbie Martin

Hettenhausen and Baer families,

Our familes thoughts and prayers are with you.  May god bless and keep you strong during this most difficult time.

Mark and Adam Hubbs

I knew Jay from grade school and still, even to this day, many years from then, he is still one of the most genuine people I have ever had the pleasure to meet.  God bless.

 So sorry to hear about the passing of your son Jay. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

We are so sorry to hear about your loss. Our thoughts and prays are with you all!

Rachel and I were sorry to hear about Jay's passing.  We we glad we got to share the evening with him at the Sammy Hagar concert.  You've got to take comfort in the fact that even during his fight these past few years, he got the opportunity to experience places that most will never see in their lifetime.  Those memories that you share with him are what will help you through these tough times.  Jay is now at peace.  Our thoughts are with all of you.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you ...

We are both so sorry to learn of Jay's passing and of your loss.  You have our most heartfelt condolences.

Tim Curtin and Georgina Campos

John and Deborah,

  I would like to express my deepest sympathy to the entire Baer family.  I worked with Jay's Dad for years and I know just how good of a family Jay  came from.  God bless all of you at this difficult time.  My prayers are with you.

I met Jay many years ago, at the same time his wife did. Jill knew instantly he was the one for her. My heart breaks knowing we lost Jay so early in life. He was an amazing guy and I have never heard a bad word about him. He truly was a wonderful person. I will be keeping all of his family in my prayers, expecially Jill. May God be with you every step of the way during this rough time.

So sorry to hear of your loss.  John was a special patient of ours.  God bless you and your family.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this very difficult time.

Leslie Braddock Mark, RN

Worked with Jay's Dad for years . My heart is heavy ,time will help the healing . love you

It was our priviledge and honor to meet Jay and Jill on our recent visit with John and Debbie. We had heard through the years of Jay's courageous battle with his cancer and after meeting face to face with Jay we understood what a wonderful young man he was. Our condolences go out to his family and our prayers are with them during this time of need.
Tommy and Jeanette Threatt

Michael and the Baer family are in our thoughts and prayers.

My sisters and I worked with Jay at Schnucks on Chippewa. He was the NICEST person. Always saying Hi no matter what. Your family is in our prayers!
Mary,Sara, and Julie Kennedy

God's blessings on you and your family during this time.  Know that Jay's suffering is over and take comfort in that. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

Warren, Barb, Josh and Kyle Brunkhorst

My thoughts and prayers are with you.  I went from grade school to high school with Jay and always knew him to be one of the sweetest, kindest people I've ever met.

I went to grade school, St. Gabriel’s, and high school, Bishop Dubourg, with Jay.  He was truly like no one else I have ever known and so he is someone I will never forget.  The Jay I knew then was a quiet, yet humorous, respectful guy who loved music.  I used to drive over to his family's house after high school and Jay and I would sit in his room and listen to music together.   One band in particular I remember him introducing me to was Steely Dan and to this day I still stop and think of Jay whenever I hear their music.  After listening together a bit he would take out his trumpet, put the mute in it – out of respect for the neighbors – and start to play his trumpet.  We nicked named him “Brass” for it.  He loved playing that trumpet and just as much I loved playing guitar along with him.   I’m still playing today, partially because of him, and I know he's still jamming too, up there with the angels now – teaching them a thing or two.  I look forward to hearing you newest riff, bro.  God has blessed me with a great friend - Jay Baer.

Hettenhausen and Baer families,

So sorry to hear about the loss of Jay. Its always hard to lose a family member. Jay was always a fighter and never gave up.  My prayer are with everyone who was touched by Jay.

We all love and will miss you Jay... you are truely an inspiration to all of us!

To Jay's family and friends,
I am so sorry to hear of Jay's passing and what a tough battle he fought.  You are all in my thoughts and prayers at this most difficult time.

We are so sorry for your loss. Our prayers go out to you and your family.

I knew Jay from St. Gabriel's and also Bishop DuBourg.  I am truly sorry to hear of the passing of this beloved Husband, Son, Brother, Grandson, Uncle, Nephew, Cousin, and Friend of so many.  My heart goes out to all those who are grieving this tremendous loss.  I very much remember Jay's wonderful smile.  My thoughts are with you at this sorrowful time.
Amanda Roeder Whitworth

Dear Debbie and John ~ In your mourning of a wonderful son, I hope you are able to feel Jay's spirit as he is with you always. You now have a special guardian angel to watch over all of your family and you will all be together again. Jay is at peace now and I hope you can find some comfort and peace in knowing that. 

In God's Love,
~Pam Gillick

I went to Bishop Dubourg high school with Jay and I was just informed of this news. I am sad to say I wasn't even aware he fought cancer. However I am happy to say that Jay was a genuine person and I have been blessed with the opportunity to have crossed his path. Lord comfort this family.

Dear Bill and Maureen:

I was saddened to read about the death of your son-in-law.  Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.

 So sorry to hear about your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you

I knew Jay from SIUE, where we were both music students.  I remember him as being one of the most genuinely kind and caring people I knew during my time there.  My heart breaks for his wife and parents, and the rest of his family.  I am thinking of all of you, and you have my heartfelt sympathy.

I worked with Jay's dad at Precoat Metals and watched him support his son through this very hard time the last few years.  Our hearts and prayers are with you and the family.  

Bill and Tina McKinnon

So sorry for your loss. We have heard great stories of all of you, from Bill. Our prayers are with you and your family.
Norbert and Dana Lehr

I was so sorry to hear of Jay's passing.  I remember what a wonderfully sweet young man he was at both St. Gabriel School and Bishop DuBourg High School.  Jay had a very special place in my heart.  Like Jay, I love DisneyWorld.  The next time I visit, I will make sure to say a special prayer for that very special young man.  God bless...

May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.

Hettenhausen & Baer families,

We were so sorry to hear of Jay's passing. Our continuous prayer for Jay was for his recovery and healing. He fought this disease hard and is now rewarded with a pain free life in Heaven with our Lord and Savior. May the memory of Jay Baer be present in every one who had the pleasure to know him. Our prayers are with you now more than ever.

Love,
Dave, Maria, Sarah and Sophie Jobe

Sincere sympathies to the family of John Baer. May God be with you through this most difficult time.

I went to college with Jay and he was one of the sweetest guys in the music department.  He had such a pure heart and soul that was so refreshing to see.  I'm sorry to hear that he had passed after battling with cancer.  I know Jay is in a better place and may he rest in peace.

My deepest condolences to Jay's family and friends. I went to DuBourg with Jay and he was such a sweet guy. He always had a smile on his face.

I went to SIUE with Jay back in 2001-2002.  He always smiled and hi when we passed in the halls, even though we didn't really know each other well.  Very sad to hear about his passing.

Jill,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. We hope that all of the special memories that you share of Jay will help you get through this difficult time. Please let us know if you need anything. 

Love,
Tim and Tammy Gillum

I was saddened to hear of Jay's passing.  My family has known the Baer's for many years and I even babysat Jay and his brothers.  Jay was always such a great guy and he will be missed.

Jay was a valued member of my band at SIUE.  I will always remember him as one who never complained, always worked harder than anyone else and always had a great word to say to everyone he met.

To the Hettenhausen family,

I'm so sorry for your loss.  I know that Jay battled hard for a long time.  I will keep you all in my prayers.

I knew Jay and his family through St. Gabriel the Archangel School.  Jay and my daughter were in the same class.   Jay was very considerate and caring.  I am so sorry for your loss.  Patti Pollihan  
(St. Louis, Mo)

Our prayers are with you at this time of grief.
Bob and Chris Meyer

I was so sorry to hear of your loss.  The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow.

The world does not have enough Jay Baers.  I taught with Jay.  His kindness and curiosity made him a great teacher.  I remember watching him listen to a student.  It was so neat to see him absorb the student's question, think about it, and then respond to it like it was the most important question ever posed.  What a great guy!  I am so fortunate to have known him.

I am so deeply sorry for your family and friends. I worked with Jay and there wasn't a day that went by that he would always keep a smile on his face no matter what he was doing. He was so strong and passed so much to others.I will miss him dearly. Many prayers to you and your family.

Dear Baer Family
I work with John's father at Precoat Metals for thirty-four years...My family and I would like to offer our deepest sympathy on the passing of his son.  I have watched John go through hard times supporting his son in fighting his illness. 
I can only offer our prayers for your family's great loss.
Sincerely,
Charles Holmes and Family

I went to SIUE with J-Bear (as I called him) and am very sad to hear of his illness and eventual passing. I'll always remember him as that sweet guy who always had a smile on his face. My deepest condolences to his wife and family.

I taught with Jay a few years ago at a not-so-great STL school.  He was such a fighter and never gave up...even when most people would have.  Even while going through chemo and suffering the side effects, he always came to work with a smile.  He was an inspiration to me and I will never forget him.  His family will be in my prayers for the months to come.

I taught with Jay for a few years at a rough STL school.  He was such a fighter and never gave up...even when most people would have.  Even while going through chemo and suffering the side effects, he came to school and had a smile on his face.  He was an inspiration to me and I will never forget him.  I will continue to keep his family in my prayers.

To the Hettenhausen family~ 
I am so sorry for your loss.  We will keep your family in our prayers.

OBITUARY

John Jay Joseph Baer

Passed away on AUGUST 28, 2010

Valhalla-Gaerdner-Holten Funeral Home & Valhalla Gardens

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Updates

Services