Michael Baucom died peacefully at his home on April 11, 2014, after a courageous battle with brain cancer for nine months. He was surrounded by his wife and children. He was born on April 18th, 1945 in Schenectady, New York to his parents, Mary Jane Baucom and the late Ivan C.Baucom.
Michael attended Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington and graduated in 1972.
Michael felt a call to the ministry and enrolled at Warburg Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa and was ordained as a pastor on July 11, 1976. While attending Warburg Seminary, Michael met the love his life, Myrna Albertson and they were married on May 25, 1974. The couple would have celebrated 40 years of marriage in May. Together, they had 2 wonderful children and were blessed with 3 grandchildren.
Michael had retired in June of 2013, as Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Green Bay, WI where he presided since 1999.
His career in ministry also included serving as a Chaplain at Mercy Medical Center in Oshkosh, WI, Pastor at McFarland Lutheran Church, and Christ Lutheran in Sedalia, MO.
Michael treasured his family and loved spending time with them and being in their presence.
Michael enjoyed attending his children and grandchildren’s activities, mission trips to New Orleans, his daily walk with Reggie (his loyal Shih Tzu), Bible/Book Studies with fellow clergy, serving on the East Synod Committee for Candidacy for seminary students, serving on the Board of Directors of the NEW Community Shelter, and reading to the students at Tank Elementary. He greatly valued his relationships that he made during his 35 years of ministry.
Michael enlisted in the United States Army in 1966. He served in the Army for three years,including 19 months in Vietnam, which included the 155th Aviation Company. Michael was awarded two Purple Hearts, multiple Air Medals with “V” Device, and the Silver Star amongst other military honors. He also served in the Wisconsin National Army Guard as Chaplain from 1985 to 1989. Michael had hoped to counsel returning veterans during his retirement.
Those left to honor his memory include his wife, Myrna Baucom of Green Bay, two children, Chelsea (John Young) Baucom-Young, and their children, Holden, Caden, and Maxwell Young of Clintonville, WI and Brett (Erin) Baucom of San Francisco, CA; his mother, Mary Jane Baucom of Roscoe, IL, his siblings, Steve (Barb) Baucom of Hood River, OR and Janet (Rich) Myers of Minneapolis, MN; three brother-in-laws and their spouses, the late Dennis Albertson and wife CJ, Dean and Sherry Albertson, and Myron Albertson and Donal Welch. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father, Ivan C. Baucom, his father and mother-in-law, Norman and Evelyn Albertson, and brother-in-law, Dennis Albertson.
Family will receive friends at Blaney Funeral Home, 1521Shawano Ave, from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, April 21. Friends may also call at Trinity Lutheran Church, 330 S. Broadway, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 22. The Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 22, at the church.
In lieu of flowers the family has requested a donation be made to Trinity Lutheran Church for outreach ministries or NEW Community Shelter at 301 Mather Street, Green Bay, WI 54303 in Michael’s honor.