Jerry Baugh

Jerry P. Baugh, age 81, passed away peacefully at his home on January 3 , 2015 in Fairview surrounded by family. Baugh was born in Evansville Indiana on July 20, 1933. The son of Emmanuel H. Baugh, former Vanderburgh County Prosecuting Attorney and Elva Winkler Baugh, former teacher in the Evansville-Vanderburgh County Public Schools. He grew up in Evansville and graduated from Bosse High School in 1951.

Baugh is survived by his wife of 54 years, the former Mary Frances Jones, of Erie, now of Fairview, his sister, JoAnne Miley of Evansville Indiana, his sons David and Matthew and daughter Carolyn. Additionally, Baugh has four granddaughters, Hayley, Aya, Layla and Akemi as well as numerous nephews and nieces around the country.

Baugh attended DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana except for his junior year when he studies at Exeter University in England. After graduation from DePauw, Baugh entered law school at the University of Michigan. He graduated from Michigan with his J.D. degree (including Order of the Coif) in 1958.

After graduation and admission to the Indiana Bar, Baugh was appointed by President Eisenhower to the position of Foreign Service Officer (Department of State). While serving his first tour of duty in Washington D.C. (as special assistant to the Director General of the Foreign Service), he married Mary Frances whom he had met while both were attending the University of Michigan.

The Baughs served multiple tours of duty with the U.S. Foreign Service at the American Embassies in Bogota, Colombia and Accra, Ghana. They also served in Miami, Florida from 1963 to 1965 where Baugh served as the Executive Assistant to the Coordinator of Cuban Affairs. There were two additional tours in Washington. Baugh resigned from the Foreign Service in 1966 and returned to Evansville where he entered the private practice of law with his father.

After returning to Evansville, Baugh served as Assistant City Attorney and, later, City Attorney. In 1974 Baugh joined the law firm of Lacey, Terrell, Annakin, Heldt and Baugh, a position he held until his retirement. His outside activities included professional memberships in the American Bar Association, the Indiana State Bar Association, The Evansville Bar Association (former president) and the Evansville, Estate Planning Council (former president). He was also extremely active on the Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library Board of Directors (former president) and was most proud of the construction of the new Central Library, which came to fruition on his watch. Baugh was an active member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church where he was a member of the vestry and Clerk of the Church; he had also served numerous times as lay reader and chalice bearer.

A memorial service will be held on January 10th , 11:00 a.m. at the Episcopal Cathedral of St. Paul, 134 West 7th St, Erie., a reception will follow immediately and Burial in Erie Cemetery.

Visiting hours for friends and family will be at the family home on January 9th from 4:00 to 6:00 pm. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Burton Funeral Home, 525 Main St. East, Girard.

Memorials may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 2115 West 8th St. Erie, PA 16505 or St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 1070 Dutch Rd., Fairview, PA 16415. Condolences may be sent to www.Burtonfuneralhomes.com.