John Theodore Bauer, age 96, passed away peacefully on October 1, 2026, at Park Villa Nursing Home, in Clyde.

He was born on September 5, 1930, on a farm near Maysville, Missouri, in the house where both his father and grandfather were born. His father was Samuel Wilson Bauer and his mother was Doris Anna (Kuebler) Bauer. His two siblings were Grace Marie (Bauer) Porubsky and George Robert Bauer.

John graduated from Highland Park High school at age 16 in 1946 and for a short time, attended Kansas State University on a football scholarship.

In 1949, John married his high school sweetheart, Shirley Joan Fowler. Together they had four children, John Theodore Bauer Jr. (wife Susan), Steven Frederick Bauer (Juanita), Susan Lynn Bauer, and Samuel Morrill Bauer (Lynne). Together they have seven grandchildren. Steven J. Bauer (Taryn), Bradley D. Bauer (Jennie), John M. Bauer, David T. Bauer, Lauren S. Boldon, Jessica L. Boldon, and Zachary J. Bauer. They have four great grandchildren.

John served in the Korean War and spent nine months in Korea from October 1950 to July 1952.

John worked for the Associates Financial Services Corporation and moved his family to Concordia in 1959 where he managed the branch office for 20 years. He then worked 10 years for First Bank as the Vice President of Lending.

John’s lifelong hobby was restoring cars and racing. His grandson Steven now holds many of his most treasured cars. Another passion was designing and building his and Shirley’s dream home on a small farm in Southwest Concordia. He was also an avid reader and student of WWII history.

John was preceded in death by his wife Shirley, his mother and father, and sister.

In lieu of flowers or cards, the family requests any remembrances be made to the O’Conner Animal Shelter in Concordia. They can be sent in care of Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home, P.O. Box 566, Concordia, KS 66901. Both John and Shirley loved cats and dogs and sheltered more than 40 over their lifetime on the farm.

John will be buried next to Shirley at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in a private ceremony.