George Kenneth Bauer

George Kenneth Bauer passed away at his home in Medford, OR at the age of 98 years. George Bauer died on Thursday, February 4, 2021, after suffering a progressive pulmonary illness the last two years of his life. He had enjoyed overall good health and vigor for most of his days. He was born in 1922.

For some context of the era in which George was born, in 1922, King Tut’s tomb was found in Egypt, Reader’s Digest begins publication, Warren Harding is President, and gasoline was 11 cents a gallon. There were some notable inventions in 1922: the helicopter, the car radio, insulin, and ice cream bars. Dad loved his ice cream bars and ate one (or sometimes two!) daily later in life. George witnessed a lot of change and innovation over the course of his 98 years.

Our father was born in Ovid, Colorado on November 28, 1922 to Conrad and Katherine Bauer. He was the tenth child of twelve children, and a first-generation American as were all his siblings. George is survived by one sister, Colleen Korn of Nampa, ID.

For the first several years of his life, our father spoke only German. When our father was well-vexed with us, his forgotten German accent came through in his speech. We knew he meant business then!

The family moved to Cozad, Nebraska, where George learned sugar beet farming amongst raising other crops which his parents grew. He raised rabbits as well. Farm life kept him busy.

Our father served proudly in the United States Navy in the South Pacific theater during World War Two.

He met and married our mother, Mary Frances Chester Bauer, in Fresno, CA in 1953. They were married 59 years, and had two daughters, Pamela Sherfey and Carolyn Dick. Mary preceded her husband in death in January 2015. George is survived by his two daughters, his son-in-laws, Dwayne Sherfey and Thomas Dick, and his grandchildren, John Sherfey, Samantha Slusher, husband Mike Slusher, and Rachael Dick. He also has three precious great-granddaughters, Audrey, Catherine, and Meredith Slusher.

Although George repaired mainframe computers for a living for many years, his passion was vegetable gardening, most notably, his tomatoes. He remained true to his roots and was a farmer at heart. Dad’s tomatoes were as good if not better than any tomatoes found at any farmers’ market. His secret? Fertilizing with chicken, rabbit, or horse manure. He generously distributed the abundance of tomatoes, cucumbers, green beans, and zucchini he grew to family, friends, neighbors, and to his church family. While our mother was still living, the summer months found Dad and Mom in the kitchen processing tomatoes and green beans for canning as well as making bread and butter pickles. In later years, when honey bees began to be scarce, Dad would painstakingly hand-pollinate his crops with a small paintbrush. He was devoted to the health and welfare of his garden!

George was jovial and neighborly. He was loyal to, and served in, his local church in Medford for many years. Our father loved the Lord and made reading his Bible a daily habit.  

What was our father’s secret to a long and healthy life? God’s grace, sunshine, working the soil and growing things, frequent naps, being sociable, easy going, and walking at the mall five days a week for countless years. And ice cream bars. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6

George Bauer’s viewing will be held at Rogue Valley Funeral Alternatives at 9:00 am on Tuesday,

February 16, 2021, located at 558 Business Park Drive, Medford, OR. A family memorial service and his burial with full military honors, will be held on Tuesday, February 16 at 11:00 am at the Eagle Point National Cemetery in Eagle Point, OR. Contributions can be made in George's name to Lozier Lane Baptist Church, (541) 773-4778 or by texting Pastor Mike at (541) 621-0604, and to Providence Hospice by mail, located at 2033 Commerce Dr, Medford, OR 97504.