Louis F. Baum, 79, a resident of Bayard, NM, entered eternal rest Friday, December 14, 2012 at Interstate 20 Mile Marker 32 10 miles west of Pecos, TX.  He was born August 10, 1933 in Pittsburg, PA to Joseph L. Bom and Katherine Fisher. 

He was former owner of A.I.R. coffee shop in Bayard.  Mr. Baum was very active in the community and was a Bayard Town Councilor elected in 2010 and was serving as Mayor Pro Tem currently.  He was previously on the board of the Mimbres Region Arts Council and volunteered for a number of organizations and events including the Blues Fest, Comcast Cares Day, the Bayard Community Garden, the Bayard Farmers Market, the Mining District Business Association and with area schools.  He was also a certified minister and gave many spiritual talks at the New Church of the Southwest Desert in Silver City.  Mr. Baum was also an artist with some of his work in the JW Gallery in Hurley. He hosted dozens of fundraisers, donating the proceeds to a wide variety of causes from local nonprofits like La Cooperative de la Frontera, a trans-border artist cooperative for women in Columbus, NM and across the border in Palomas, Mexico to Haiti relief following the devastating earthquake there in 2010.He was just a real generous person. 

He is survived by one son, Timothy E. Baum and wife Alyssa of Orlando, FL; one daughter, Theresa J. Baum of Palm Bay, FL; six grandchildren; one great-grandchild; one brother, Robert T. Baum of Las Cruces; one sister, Nancy Fitzgerald of Danvers, MA.  He was preceded in death by his parents and one son, Louis F. Baum Jr. 

A memorial service with military honors will be held Friday, December 21st at Terrazas Funeral Chapels with Pastor Floyd Robertson officiating.  Cremation will take place at Terrazas Crematory.  Arrangements are with Terrazas Funeral Chapels and Crematory “Trusted care for the ones you love” ~ 575-537-0777.  To send condolences, visit www.terrazasfuneralchapel.com.