RICHARD WILLIAM BAER

SAN ANGELO - Richard William Baer, aka "The Harmonica Man," 85, of San Angelo joined our Heavenly Father on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2006. Richard was born Sept. 6, 1920, in San Angelo, Texas. He was a member of Harvest Baptist Church of San Angelo. Family visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3, at Johnson's Funeral Home Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, in Johnson's Funeral Home chapel, officiated by the Rev. Ronald McGaughey and the Rev. Ron Patterson. Burial with military honors will follow in Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens. He served with the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was employed by the City of San Angelo for 37 years prior to his retirement, ending his reign as chief electrical inspector. Richard could light up a room with his smile. You could find him at Golden Corral, IHOP, Wal-Mart and at various elementary schools playing his harmonica, which he played since he was 11 years old. Richard was preceded in death by his wife, Eva Mae Overstreet Baer; sister Olive Baer Jenkins; infant daughter Alice Julia Baer; and infant twin sons, Richard William Baer and Robert Lester Baer. Survivors include his daughters, Darlyne Morales of San Antonio, Texas, Debra Goins and husband David of Morgan Hill, Calif., Patricia "Patti" Kelsey and husband Gordon of Ballston Spa, N.Y., and Teresa Barnett and husband Chris of Abilene, Texas; grandsons Michael Morales of Waco, Texas, and Palme Goins of California; granddaughters DeShira Dickey of San Angelo, Texas, and Danielle Steele of San Antonio, Texas; sister Laverne Baer Carroll; brother Edward Lester Baer; and niece Carolyn McGaughey, all of San Angelo.

February 6, 2006
Christine
To the Baer family: I had the gracious opportunity to meet Mr. Baer about 5 years ago right after my Grandma passed away. He came into my place of employment on a day that I was having a particularly hard time dealing with my Grandma's passing. He showed up out of nowhere, almost like an angel, and asked me if I had a request for a song for him to play on his harmonica. I didn't off the top of my head, so he started playing "The Yellow Rose of Texas", which was what our family always called my Grandma Rose. It was an honestly touching meeting that I have told so many people about. I am very sorry to hear of his passing and your loss. I did not know him personally, but I do know that an angel that was walking among us is now in heaven.

February 4, 2006
Patty Young
To Richards Family Richard has always been special to me. He was always kind and had such a big heart. I went to see him as often as I could but these last few months I have fallen back, and I pray Richard forgives me for that. He was loved buy many. I loved him like a father or grandfather ,he will be sorely missed. God Bless All of You.