Wayne Fair Baus passed away December 7, 2017 at Rocky Mountain Care Center in Helena, MT. Wayne was 86 years old at the time of his passing.
Wayne was born March 28, 1931 in Baltimore, MD to William and Anna (Bonner) Baus. Wayne was the youngest of seven children; Marie Doran, Elada Cosden, Doris Lynch, William (Billy) Baus, Marion Kraus, Donald Baus.
Whenever the family needed Wayne they knew they could find him playing baseball in the spring and summer, football in the fall and ice hockey during the winter. Along with playing sports, Wayne developed a keen mechanical sense and loved working on his brother’s and friends’ cars.
As a teenager Wayne became an outstanding third baseman for his Edison High School team. During the summer he would play in the Baltimore inner-city leagues, winning many honors and awards. Wayne was scouted by the Baltimore Orioles to play third base. Instead of Wayne playing third base, the Orioles went with Hall of Famer; Brooks Robinson.
The Korean War came along and Wayne followed his brothers into the military. Wayne joined the Air Force and became a crew chief working on Sabre Jets, keeping the planes ready to fly at a moment’s notice to intercept foreign planes flying into the U.S. air space.
While stationed at Malmstron Air Force Base, Wayne met the love of his life; Opal Maye Schuff. They were married January 26, 1955, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Great Falls, Montana. They were still in Great Falls when they welcomed daughter; Laura Lee Baus.
After Wayne’s discharge from the Air Force, the family moved to Baltimore; since Wayne couldn’t find a job in Great Falls. Wayne worked for Glenn L. Martin working on jet engines, then a heavy equipment mechanic for Rental Tools and finally with Ingersal Rand; retiring from there in 2001.
Wayne continued his passion for sports by playing Class A softball and watching his Orioles and Baltimore Colts. He enjoyed going to see his teams play at Memorial Stadium with his father and brothers-in-law.
In 2003 when Opal retired from work, Wayne fulfilled his promise to bring Opal back to Montana. In 2005 they joined their daughter, Laura, in Helena, Montana.
Wayne’s passion for sports was replaced by his love for the Lord. Wayne and Opal worked with men’s and women’s prison ministry in Maryland. During the holidays Wayne and Opal would join their church in traveling to the Appalachian area of West Virginia; bringing food and clothing to the residents and working on making improvements on the people’s homes.
Wayne became an active member of Last Chance Chapel in 2004. He loved his church family. When Last Chance Chapel was struggling with final approval from the building code inspectors, he personally took the challenge of seeing that every detail was completed according to their ever-changing codes. Wayne was bull dog, tenacious, not letting any church member rest until the church was approved, but more than that Wayne, was a prayer warrior; always concerned with the state of the church.
“When Wayne prayed, he was plain, practical, pointed and powerful. There was never any pretense or polish to his prayers. You knew when he began to pray, God heard.” John Cathcart; Pastor of Last Chance Chapel.
Wayne fought a good fight, finished his course and kept faith. Our hearts thrill at the fact that he now has a new body with no more crying or pain and has received a crown of righteousness from Lord Jesus. There will be a glad reunion day. Wayne’s greatest wish was for all Last Chance Chapel, family and friends come to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior and he will be next in line to Jesus to welcome us into everlasting glory.
Wayne is survived by Laura Baus (daughter), Elada Cosden (sister), Marion Kraus (sister); nieces, Anna Riley, Sharon Blair and Sandy Kraus; nephews, Phil Cosden Jr., Ricky Kraus, Craig Cosden, Donald Baus Jr. and Carrel Baus, along with many grand and great grand nieces and nephews.
Wayne was preceded in death by his father, William A. Baus ; his mother, Anna Bonner Baus; his wife, Opal Maye Baus; sisters, Marie Doran and Doris Lynch and brothers, Donald and William Baus.
A Viewing will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 12, 2017 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. A Funeral service is set for 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 13, 2017 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home. Burial with Military Honors will be held at Montana State Veterans Cemetery, 3550 Hero’s Rd, Fort Harrison. Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Wayne.
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m to 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday December 12, 2017
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N Montana Ave
Helena , Montana 59602
Funeral Service
1:00 p.m.
Wednesday December 13, 2017
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home Social Hall
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial with Military Honors
3:00 p.m.
Wednesday December 13, 2017
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
3550 Hero's Rd
Fort Harrison, Montana 59636
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m to 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday December 12, 2017
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N Montana Ave
Helena , Montana 59602
Funeral Service
1:00 p.m.
Wednesday December 13, 2017
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home Social Hall
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial with Military Honors
3:00 p.m.
Wednesday December 13, 2017
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
3550 Hero's Rd
Fort Harrison, Montana 59636
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Sue Leferink says
Wayne was generous with his time and money. May he now experience the peace he always desired for others. I will miss his smile and his hugs.
Ed & Joyce Zacher says
PO Box 527
Sara Zacher says
Steve’s and my thoughts and prayers are with you, Laura. We are comforted by the thought that your dad is well and happy with Jesus, but we know the world doesn’t feel the same with him gone.
Theresa says
Wayne will be greatly missed.
He loved each person well that he met on this journey called life. He was never too busy to hear someone’s story and he always found a way to make each individual understand a little better of how greatly Jesus valued him or her. Whenever our paths crossed he always had a hug for me and asked me how I was”really” doing, AND he took the time to listen.
He and Opal raised a great daughter and I know they’re both so proud of her. I’m sorry for your loss my friend.
Ed & Joyce Zacher says
Laura . Our thoughts and prayers are reaching out to you. Wayne was such a dynamic fella. I can remember the time the 2 of you came to our house for Thanksgiving. He got into a conversation with Alex who was in his middle teens. They were truly enjoying each other. Yet he could visit with adults on a variety of topics and be quite engaging. You also brought him to “The Pirate Party”.. and there he demonstrated his wry sense of humor. If you didn’t know that he had a little twinkle in his eyes & a subtle grin, you would believe him… He liked to see how far fetched a story you would believe.
Wayne was compassionate in his love for mankind and he showed it by example. We are so thankful that God let us share a part of Wayne’s life. He truly was a very special man.
Lisa Mitts for us 4 says
Laura, Doug, Lisa, Megan and Michael want you to know how sad we are to hear about your Father. I know how much he meant to you and how well you took care of him. When someone becomes such a part a your life it is a huge loss. Although we may not have known your father well we know he was a special man. We will always remember when you all helped us built the mountain scene. It still stands in the ranch guest house for all to admire. Fond memories of our time with you in Helena. Our prayers and thoughts are with you during this time and want you to know we wish we were by your side too. Once again we are sad with you for your loss! We love you, The Mitts
Judith says
Laura, you are in my thoughts. I enjoyed meeting your dad through the years we worked together. Sounds from the obituary as though he had a very full life.
Peace to you,
Judith
Laurie Kops says
Laura….I’m so sorry about your dad’s passing. I really enjoyed hanging with him when he came to DPHHS, and I know how deeply he loved you and only wanted the best for you. I’ve got you in my thoughts and prayers as you journey forward without your parents, and I know they are looking down at you with great pride. Take care.
Laurie