Roll Call Tribute

John Pershing "Jack" Bayer, Jr. 

May 10, 1946 - April 7, 2024 

John Pershing Bayer, Jr., better known as Jack, age 77, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 7, 2024 surrounded by family. He fought a brave battle with head and neck cancer.

Jack and his three younger brothers were raised by an Air Force family, moving around until they settled in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, where he became a lifelong St. Louis Cardinals fan. He attended West Point Military Academy and played baseball and football, graduating with a degree in civil engineering. Upon graduation he served five years running the small arms rifle range at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. In 1974, he married Jeanne Senger, a nurse from Cary, NC, and they enjoyed camping on their motorcycle and restoring a 1957 Corvette and a Volkswagen Beetle.

Jack returned to school and earned his mechanical engineering degree at Texas A&M University, which led to a career in construction and repair of coal and gas fired power plants, a career which moved Jack and Jeanne all over the country. They started a family and have two children, Mandy and Jay. They eventually settled in Duluth, GA, where they remained for 22 years. While in Duluth, his career path changed to forming his own consulting business where Jack helped small companies in the power industry build and repair small electrical and solar projects. Jack also spent those years being the chief cheerleader of his children’s sports and school activities. In 2011, Jack and Jeanne moved to Canton, GA.

Jack used his mechanical abilities spending time tinkering in his shop by building a drag race car, restoring classic cars, and building multiple projects for the grandkids and Jeanne. He repaired bicycles for kids at Goshen Valley as well as other repair needs. Jack had a passion for living a life of adventure and travel. As the kids left the nest, he began to travel on motorcycles. Highlights include riding in the Blue Ridge mountains, traveling to the 4 corners of the USA in less than 21 days, and touring Europe, Canada, Mexico, and Alaska as well as the back roads of the North Georgia hills. Jack was also a family man and spent much time involved with his kids and Jeanne camping and traveling. He loved spending time with his grandchildren: taking them on his motorcycle with a sidecar, out for ice cream, building in the shop or with legos, playing games, watching their sports (volleyball, baseball, soccer, and hockey) and taking them on family trips together. He was a devout Christian and believed in kindness and service to others.

Jack is survived by his wife of almost 50 years, Jeanne, his two children and their spouses: Mandy (Mike) in Madison, WI, and Jay (Guissela) in Canton,GA, and his grandkids: Guissela Patricia (Paul), Luis, Maria (Scott), Elena, Faith, Jack, and Jon and great granddaughter, Isabella. He also is survived by three brothers, Bo (Monica) in Lake Butler, FL, Dave (Pam) in Clearwater beach, FL, and Rick (Nancy) in Portland, OR. Jack was preceded in death by his parents, John and Dottie Bayer.

In lieu of flowers or plants, please consider donating to Goshen Valley Boys Ranch (at risk kids), Cancer Research Institute, (Head and Neck Cancer Research) or The Fisher House Foundation (a place for military and veteran families to stay while a loved one is in the hospital).

Jack's burial will be at the Georgia National Cemetery on Thursday, April 25 at 9am followed by a church service at Canton First Methodist Church at 10:30am. We will conclude with an end-of-life party at the Soleil clubhouse (in the ballroom) at 2pm.