Gary A. Baugh

Gary Albert Baugh Gary Albert Baugh, 59, of Carmel died Wednesday, July 25, 2007. Gary was born in Indianapolis in 1948 to Eva May and Gordon Baugh. Gordon Baugh was the owner of Noblesville Casting Company, a foundry in Noblesville, and Gary spent many enjoyable hours in his younger years with his father in the foundry. Those hours promoted his love of mechanics and engineering, and Gary attended Indiana University and Purdue University perfecting his engineering skills. He served in Thailand in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War for four years and was discharged in 1974. He and his brother, Gordon Jr., owned and operated GB Energy Center in Cleveland for eight years before Gary moved back to Indianapolis to care for his elderly father after his mother, Eva May, passed away. Gary was a consummate caregiver. His father passed away in 1989. Gary married Paula Gayle Pfotenhauer in 1991, and they were blessed with two children, Spencer Gordon and Gemma Alexandra. Gary continued his engineering work in plastics fabrication working for Custom Plastics with his brother-in-law, Joe Ferraro, for six years and then Meyer Plastics and Deflecto Corporation in Carmel. He retired in 2000 to become fully involved in the co-parenting of his children. If one word described Gary, it was passion.nothing was done half-heartedly, and he loved the adventure of life, every minute of it. He enthusiastically and lovingly worked beside his wife, Paula, in Brownies, Girl Scouts, volunteering at the Glendale branch of the Indianapolis Public Library, and any number of projects and events at Woodbrook Elementary and Clay Middle School. Gary was registered with the Girl Scouts of America as an official Girl Scout Do-Dad. Scout leaders say he put the "do" in "do-dad" working tirelessly for their troops. At Woodbrook Elementary he was a familiar face helping to organize events and to chaperon field trips. He transformed the annual Colonial Days basket-weaving segment into a truly historically accurate event, which he researched in depth to insure that it was authentic in product and design. One of Gary's passions was golf, which he began to play only four years ago and was already shooting in the 80's. He was also an avid cyclist and constantly preached bicycle safety to his children and recently joined the Central Indiana Bicycling Association. He considered himself very blessed to be able to be involved so completely with his family and at the same time use his many talents to totally maintain their home whether it was plumbing, air conditioning, pool repair, roofing, appliance repair, etc. There were few things he could not fix or fabricate and was always willing to help a neighbor. They didn't even have to ask. Gary would spot a problem and offer to help. Many times he would take the time to explain to his children the repair and involve them in the process. Every element of life was a learning experience for him, and he delighted in passing that on to his children. Gary's insatiable appetite for learning and his love of music motivated him to teach himself how to play the violin and, while not concert caliber, Gary became a very good violinist. In recent years he picked up on his childhood piano lessons and practiced almost every day. He sought to inspire others, particularly children, to maintain a thirst for knowledge. Although he married later in life and was an older parent, he prided himself on keeping fit so he could continue to watch his children grow and blossom. He leaves an unimaginable void and a grieving wife, two children, siblings, and many friends. Gary is also survived by his six siblings: Gordon Baugh Jr. and Sandy Baugh and children Gordon III, Garrett, and Grant; Steve and Gail (Baugh) Brady and children Stephen, Sheila, and Sean; Foster and Gwen (Baugh) Tudor and children Lisa and Amy; Hugh and Gloria (Baugh) Chilton and children Harrison and Hudson; Jim and Glenda (Baugh) Manzi and children Julianna, Jay, and Jack; and Joe and Georgia (Baugh) Ferraro and children Damien Hirsch and Joe Ferraro III. Gary Baugh leaves a lasting legacy of love and a passion for knowledge. He was truly an unsung hero who touched many people's lives. Visitation will be held at Flanner & Buchanan Funeral Center, 325 East Carmel Drive, in Carmel from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 31. Funeral services will be held at Zionsville Presbyterian Church, 4775 West 116th Street, in Zionsville at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 1.