I’m 26 years old now. My first introduction to Commander Baumann was at a District Royal Ranger camp in Maypearl, TX. I was probably 12 and I was from Wichita Falls, TX at the time. He didn’t wear the traditional khakis but instead had a blue blazer with some pins on it that pretty much said he was at the least in District Leadership. Cool to a 12 year old with aspirations to know how to camp and do other primitive things in case modern amenities were unavailable. He was a god among rookies.

In 1996, the USAF moved my family here to the Dallas area so we could be near our new church, Trinity Church in Cedar Hill, and so that I could attend their private school.

Quick backstory: In Wichita Falls I had found myself in quite a comfortable niche of friends within my church, and I absolutely loved (still do, although it’s been years since I’ve talked to him and his wife) my youth pastor, Rick. Coming out of junior high I began the journey of experiencing spiritual challenges in regards to the kind of person I was going to be entering into high school. I had it all figured out that I was going to go to public school, play football with all my friends from church who I only got to see at church because the small private school I attended was attached to another church across town… I lived a split life come to think of it… but it was all sorted and I knew that everything was going to be just fine. I was comfortable, and the USAF had sort of wearied me on the idea of moving. Not to mention I had my way of everything in WF… my dad was elder and deacon at our church, and the pastor at the time didn’t have immediate kids so the burden of rebellion and getting away with everything fell on me! We had experienced some drama with the kid’s pastor (she was mean) and once dad had filled in to being a deacon… our relationship with her immediately went from the mean to all of a sudden she was seeming to want to be our closest ally.

In short, I had everything, everyone… sorted right where I wanted.

So 1996 rolls around, and everything I had sorted DISAPPEARS.

Circa June 1996: Cedar Hill, TX. Trinity Church. Big church for me. My church in WF had maybe 650 members at its peak. Trinity pushed higher than double that, near 1400.

My first Sunday at Trinity was like any experience people have when visiting a new church. “Where do I go?” “Who’s friend am I going to be, and will they be friends as well?” “What’s the youth pastor like?” “I want to be in Wichita Falls. This is gay.” (okay, so besides the last one)’

And then this:

- Hey there, kid brother. I’m Commander Baumann, I’ve never seen you here before are you new?

(I should mention he was wearing his navy blue District RR leadership blazer)

Yeah… I know you from District Camp, and from JLTC…

- Oh yeah, which outpost are you from?

57

- Really? Uhhh… is that there uhh… Johnny McClane?

Well, yeah, but it’s Stan Owens now.

- Oh well okay, well here we are outpost 266, about how old are you?

I just turned 14 in March.

- Oh than Trailblazer eh? How close are you to your GMA (Gold Medal of Achievement = Eagle Scout)?

Well, I’m not really doing Rangers anymore…

- Okay well we could get you your GMA in only a few months…

Thanks, I think it’s great but I’ve been away for awhile and I just moved back and I had quit RR when I was in WF…

- Yeah absolutely, GMA in less than six months remember I’m Commander Baumann, Outpost 266… ever done a bicycle rodeo?

No, I haven’t…

…At this point the foyer area in the sanctuary had filled and someone else had come along and sort of stolen Commander Baumann away, which was a relief, and that is the FIRST person at Trinity to ever talk to me when I first attended.

Last Friday, May 16th was the final time anyone had seen the good John Baumann alive. It is speculated that he died in his sleep that evening. He had just finished helping the Royal Rangers prepare for the Pinewood Derby. (My car won every year I participated. 3?)

I received this news from a weekly email that our pastor sends to the congregation. He expressed the heaviness of his heart at John Baumann’s passing and all the memories I have of this dear man came back to me including the contributions of kindness he had personally expressed to me now almost 13 years ago. My heart too is heavy.

Other memories include John’s normal appearance of constant preparedness, or I should say “readiness” considering the Royal Ranger motto of “ready! ready for anything.” He would always come to church equipped with utility belt, cell phone, bluetooth, laptop bag, and an ever so handy pocket knife and especially a flashlight.

During Tuesday night prayer, I leaned into the music stand where the attendance paperwork was and next thing I know the thing is illuminated. There’s John Baumann, giving me light so I could see. (Which I could already do just fine)

Every time, except for last night when I would visit the White Rhino Coffee Shop, John Baumann was always there pounding away at his computer, or… napping. However, he was always there when I ever visited, which as of recent days (Feb through April) had been scarce due to my non-drinkage of coffee and I never really want to go there unless Ryan is there (he is a friend for who I never want to fall short in appreciating). I went there last night to remember John B. and for my part, go through my own grieving process. Sure, Commander Baumann and I were not close friends by virtue of a deep friendship or strong sense of comrade-in-arms and I’m also sure that my sentiments are one-sided.

In conclusion, if anyone were to ask what kind of man John Baumann was, and what kind of legacy did he leave with the people who will remember him… I can confidently say that his legacy consisted of these ten things:

1. Alert
2. Clean
3. Honest
4. Courageous
5. Loyal
6. Courteous
7. Obedient
8. Spiritual
9. Selfless
10. Good