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In Memory

Tom Baron

Thomas James Baron, “The Bear” , 71, peacefully passed away January 22 at Brooke Grove Rehabilitation in Olney, MD.

 

He was born in Hackensack, New Jersey, on December 10, 1951. Preceded in death by his parents, Robert George Baron and Margaret Hunter Baron. Brother of the late Robert George Baron, Jr. Father of the late Christopher Raymond Baron.

 

He is survived by his beautiful bride, Karan F Baron, daughter, Dr. Patty Ann Ford - husband Brandon ‘Buck’ Ford, and son, Kenneth Casey Baron - wife Kari Leigh Ann Baron, and four grandchildren, Colton Thomas Baron (15), Kyleigh Ann Baron (11), James Raymond Ford II (8), Luke Casey Ford (2) and many friends.

 

Bear also leaves behind two sisters, Lynn Ann Foster - husband Randy Foster, and Caroline Avery; as well as 9 nieces and nephews.

 

Bear graduated from Walter Johnson HS in Bethesda, Maryland, where he lettered in baseball, basketball and football and continued his athleticism at University of Maryland playing baseball and earning his electrical engineering degree.

 

He then began his career as an electrical engineer, working with and at NASA, Ford and various contractors working for the Department of Defense. His career took him to Hawaii and California before coming back to Maryland.

 

Bear loved baseball and fast-pitch and slow pitch. During his playing days, he was a feared hitter and wonderful catcher. His knowledge and passion for the game was vast and immense. He was a well known figure in the baseball world. You never forgot meeting Bear. He passed his love of the game on to everyone and anyone. He was proud and honored to be inducted into the Greater Washington Fast Pitch Hall of Fame, Class of 2000.

 

His love for the game propelled him to give back to the next generation of ball players and the annual Bear Classic, a Labor Day Showcase tournament for high school players to show their skills to many local colleges, was born. This showcase was held annually through the late 1990s and early 2000s, helping many athletes achieve their dreams of playing baseball at the next level.

 

While at University of Maryland, Bear met the love of his life, Karan, at Cumberland Hall and began their 51 year relationship. They met in the spring of 1972. He had a baseball bat and was taking slow-mo practice swings. Once married, he always referred to her as “his beautiful bride”.

 

Bear married his beautiful bride, Karan, in 1980 at the Rock Creek Mansion in Bethesda and she supported his van life, 2 doggies, Brandy and Chessie, and fast pitch career well.

 

He loved his children fiercely. He could talk endlessly about how proud he was of Patty and Casey and all of their accomplishments. He called Patty his ray of sunshine and called Casey a breathe of fresh air. Buck and Kari were like another son and daughter in his heart. His four grandchildren and three grand dogs brought him many smiles and happiness. He loved to FaceTime with each and everyone....a lot.

 

There is so much more to tell of Bear’s life, we hope and encourage all friends and those who loved Bear to leave their favorite memories you have of him.

 

He loved a good story.

 

 

Details of the service below:

 

Tuesday January 31, 2023

12pm: Visitation

1pm: Funeral Service

Burial immediately following service

 

Union Cemetery

3001 Spencerville Rd, Burtonsville, MD 20866

 

Following the burial, from 3-5 pm, there will be a Reception (place tbd)

 

 

 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Burtonsville Fire Department


 

https://www.collinsfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Thomas--James-The-Bear-Baron?obId=27114395#/obituaryInfo