John D. "Jack" Baer

Cochran Funeral Home of Blairsville announces the death of Mr. John D. "Jack" Baer - born in Attleboro, Massachusetts, on October 3, 1921, and died in Blairsville, on Tuesday, November 3, 2015

He was the son of Lawrence E. and Donna D. Baer. Both deceased.

Baer attended both Yale and Brown Universities, graduating from the latter in 1943. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II, having been attached to the Second Marine Division in the Pacific theater and int he Occupation of Japan. He resigned his commission in 1950.

He was the owner and C.E.O. of the Bishop Company, an Ophthalmic Manufacturing Company, which he merged with the Univis Lens Company of Dayton, Ohio in 1960. The merged company, Univis, Inc., was headquartered in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, with branch manufacturing plants in Puerto Rico, Tennessee, New York and Massachusetts. Univis was sold to Itek, Inc. in 1970.

Mr. Baer established a consulting company in Atlanta, Georgia, and in 1970 joined the Edwards Baking Company as Executive Vice President. He retired from Edwards in 1978.

While residing on Sea Island, Georgia, he participated in the construction and management of the Island Retreat and the Island Square apartments.

Baer and his family moved to Blairsville in 1985 where he and his wife founded and managed the Truck & Gas Market. The business closed in March 1992. Baer then retired from all activity.

While residing in Massachusetts, Baer served as a member of the Attleboro Zoning Board of Appeal for 12 years. He was also a Director of a local Bank and the Chamber of Commerce. For several years he served as a director of the Optical Manufacturers Association, located in New York City.

While living in Oxford, Georgia, Baer was elected and served on the town Council.

Besides his wife, Jane Rollins Baer, he leaves five daughters: Minda Baer Kamen, Sally Brigham Baer, Victoria Baer, Stacia Baer Mase, Ashley Logan Baer, and a son. Eight grandchildren, and one great grandchild also survive. Mr. Baer was of the Baptist faith.

Funeral services have been scheduled for Thursday, November 5, 2015, at 3:00 p.m., to be held in the Chapel of Cochran Funeral Home of Blairsville, with Rev. Tommy Seay officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday, starting at 1:00 p.m. before the funeral begins. Specially selected music will be presented by Fred Bruder. The following gentlemen will serve as pallbearers: Logan McManus, Jeff Mase, Michael Kochman, Anthony Guerra, Rex Owenby, and Richard Johnson. Burial will be in Union Memory Gardens Cemetery, with full military honors being presented by Marine Corps. Honor Guard and North Georgia Honor Guard.

If you wish to send a memorial contribution to honor Mr. Baer's memory, please direct them to your choice of Union County Nursing Home or In Touch Ministries - Dr. Charles Stanley.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Cochran Funeral Home of Blairsville. Please share your condolences with the family on our website, www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.